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Was King Charles the second a good king?
He was certainly mercurial and brilliant, and quite possibly lustful and in the grip of dark and foreign powers. King Charles II was however, one of the nation’s most interesting and beguiling rulers. As a teen, his golden childhood was ripped away from him by the Civil War.
What kind of king was King Charles II?
Traditionally considered one of the most popular English kings, Charles is known as the Merry Monarch, a reference to the liveliness and hedonism of his court. He acknowledged at least 12 illegitimate children by various mistresses, but left no legitimate children and was succeeded by his brother, James.
What was King Charles II personality?
On a personal level, Charles could evidently be a delightful companion: witty, generous, and immensely accessible, he charmed both the members of his own court, and, more surprisingly, the common people, with whom he never lost his enormous personal popularity.
What problems did Charles II have?
One difficulty he faced was that initially he was given a financial settlement that was simply not adequate to his needs, and that Parliament did not take the problem seriously enough. As a result he had a serious shortfall of revenue.
Did Charles the second like to party?
The view of Charles II as a fun-loving, likeable person – the kind you would like to have round for dinner parties – has proved remarkably resilient, fostered in particular by popular historical biographies that have often succeeded in capturing the public’s imagination.
What was good about Charles II?
Charles’s reign saw the rise of colonisation and trade in India, the East Indies and America (the British captured New York from the Dutch in 1664), and the Passage of Navigation Acts that secured Britain’s future as a sea power. He founded the Royal Society in 1660.
What made Charles II absolute?
Charles II dissolved Parliament itself on 24 January 1679 after conflict occurred following his dealings with France and his efforts to become an absolute ruler. It was also a period of anti-Catholic sentiment and witch-hunts. He ruled without parliament until his death in 1685.
Why was James II unpopular?
As a Roman Catholic, he was unpopular because he tried to force Protestant England to become Catholic. He was forced to give up his rule in 1688, during the Glorious Revolution, after which William III became king with his wife, Mary II.