History

Charles II was born on 29 May 1630, son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria. He fought alongside his father against Oliver Cromwell's forces throughout much of the English Civil War. He escaped to the continent before his father was beheaded on 30 January 1649. In 1650 he landed in Scotland and was crowned King of Scots at Scone on 1 January 1651 but his attempt to regain the English throne failed when Cromwell defeated him at the Battle of Worcester. Charles was on the run for several weeks (hiding in an oak tree at one point according to legend) before making his remarkable escape to France. Cromwell died in 1658 and his son Richard resigned leaving the way clear for the restoration of the king. Charles rode into London on 29 May 1660 to popular acclaim and his coronation took place in the Abbey on 23 April 1661. A new set of regalia had to be made for the occasion. By Royal Warrant the bodies of Cromwell and his followers buried at the Abbey were exhumed.

In 1662 Charles married Portuguese infanta Catherine of Braganza, daughter of King John IV. No issue came from the marriage but Charles had 13 children by various mistresses. The Great Plague in 1665 and the Great Fire of London the following year overshadowed his reign. Charles was a great patron of the arts and founded the Royal Society. He died at Whitehall on 6 February 1685 and was buried in the Abbey on the 14 February in a vault in the south aisle of Henry VII's chapel. No monument was erected for him but a lifesize wax effigy, 6 feet 2 inches tall, stood by his grave for over a century. This figure can now be seen in the Abbey Museum. The face is a remarkable likeness and he is dressed in robes of the Order of the Garter. Frances Stuart, Duchess of Richmond, who was one of the ladies who rejected his advances, also has an effigy in the Museum.

Photographs of the effigy can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.

Coronation

King Charles I's son had been crowned King Charles II of England, Scotland, Ireland and France in Scotland in 1651. He failed to overthrow Cromwell in England and fled to France. When Cromwell died the people wanted to restore their monarch and Charles II was joyously welcomed back from France in 1660. Nearly a year passed before the King's coronation was held in the Abbey. Much preparation was needed, including making a new set of Coronation Regalia, costing over £12,000.

The Abbey was crowded for his coronation in 1661, one guest being Samuel Pepys who detailed the service in his famous diary. Charles's coronation was the last time the traditional procession from the Tower of London took place.

Further reading

"King Charles II" by Antonia Fraser
"The Funeral Effigies of Westminster Abbey" edited by A.Harvey & R.Mortimer (revised 2003)