Charles II

(Reigned 1660-1685)

At the time of his father's execution, Charles II who was outside England, declared himself King. Much of his time in exile, from 1649 to 1660, was spent traveling around the continent, plotting regain the throne. An ill-fated attempt to invade England and lead an uprising against Cromwell ended in his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651; Charles then returned to the Continent. The people of England were sick of the "puritanical gloom" of the Interregnum, and after the death of oliver Cromwell in 1658, gladly welcomed Charles back as King in 1660.

His death in Feb. 1685 was unexpected, coming after a sudden stroke at the age of 55.