King Charles Ii Collection (#11)

Letter from Charles II to Sir George Downing, Ambassador at the Hague, 16th January 1672. Artist: King Charles II
Letter from Charles II to Sir George Downing, Ambassador at the Hague, 16th January 1672. Letter written from Whitehall shortly before the outbreak of the Dutch war

Letter from John Maitland to Sir Robert Moray, 2nd November 1669. Artist: John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale
Letter from John Maitland to Sir Robert Moray, 2nd November 1669. Letter written from Holyrood House, Edinburgh, by John Maitland, Duke of Lauderdale, (when Earl of Lauderdale)

Letter from Charles II to his sister Henrietta, Canterbury, 26th May 1660. Artist: King Charles II
Letter from Charles II to his sister Henrietta, Canterbury, 26th May 1660. Letter, in French, from King Charles II to his sister Henrietta, afterwards Duchess of Orleans

Charles II and General Monck, c1660, (c1850). Colour plate from Pictures of English History, George Routledge & Sons, (London, New York, c1850)

Nell Gwyn selling Ballards, (19th century). Nell Gwynne (1650-1687) became the long-time mistress of King Charles II. Here she is selling sheet music to Charles and the Dukes of Buckingham

Jane Needham, Mrs Myddleton, 1666. Artist: Peter Lely
Jane Needham, Mrs Myddleton, 1666. Portrait of Jane Needham, later Jane Myddleton or Middleton (1645-1692), one of the Ladies of the Court of Charles II

Elizabeth Hamilton, Countess of Gramont, c1660s. Artist: Peter Lely
Elizabeth Hamilton, Countess of Gramont, c1660s. Portrait of Elizabeth Hamilton (1641-1708) who married the Comte de Gramont, and was one of the Ladies of the Court of Charles II

Portrait of Frances, Duchess of Richmond, c1662-1665. Artist: Peter Lely
Portrait of Frances, Duchess of Richmond, c1662-1665. Frances Stuart (1647-1702) was the original model for the figure of Britannia on coins since 1667

Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, Countess of Castlemaine, c1660s. Artist: Peter Lely
Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, Countess of Castlemaine, c1660s. Portrait of King Charles IIs mistress Barbara Palmer (1640-1709), one of the ladies of the court

Elizabeth Bagot, Countess of Falmouth, c1670s. Artist: Peter Lely
Elizabeth Bagot, Countess of Falmouth, c1670s. Portrait of Elizabeth (died 1684), one of the Ladies of the Court of Charles II

Elizabeth Wriothesley, Countess of Northumberland, c1670s. Artist: Peter Lely
Elizabeth Wriothesley, Countess of Northumberland, c1670s. Portrait of Elizabeth (1646-1690), 1st wife of Ralph Montagu, 1st Earl and Duke of Montagu, was one of the Ladies of the Court of Charles II

Henrietta Boyle, Countess of Rochester, c1660s. Artist: Peter Lely
Henrietta Boyle, Countess of Rochester, c1660s. Portrait of Henrietta (died 1687), wife of Laurence Hyde, 1st Earl of Rochester, was one of the Ladies of the Court of Charles II

Anne Digby, Countess of Sutherland, c1660s. Artist: Peter Lely
Anne Digby, Countess of Sutherland, c1660s. Anne (1642-1715) was a great friend of the Duchess of Marlborough

Margaret Brooke, Lady Denham, c1660s. Artist: Peter Lely
Margaret Brooke, Lady Denham, c1660s. Nothing prevented Margaret (1646-1667) becoming Charles IIs mistress save Lady Castlemaines jealousy

Susan, Lady Belasyse, c1660s. Artist: Peter Lely
Susan, Lady Belasyse, c1660s. Portrait of Susanna (nee Armine), Lady Bellasys or Belasyse (died 1713), one of the Ladies of the Court of Charles II

Frances Brooke, Lady Whitmore, late 17th century. Artist: Peter Lely
Frances Brooke, Lady Whitmore, late 17th century. Portrait of Frances (died 1690), one of the Ladies of the Court of Charles II

Charles II of England, 1660-1685 (1912). A print from The Connoisseur, (London, 1912)

Cup, early 17th century, (1843). Artist: Henry Shaw
Cup, early 17th century, (1843). Decorative silver gilt cup from the royal collection at Windsor, said to have belonged to Charles II, and presented by him to a master of Queens College, Oxford

Barbara Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland, King Charles IIs mistress, (1907). Born Barbara Villiers (1640-1709), she married Roger Palmer, Earl of Castlemaine in 1659, and bore five children to Charles II

Lady Jane Lane, English Stuart loyalist, (1907). Lady Jane Lane (c1626-1689) played a heroic role in the escape of Charles II in 1651

King Charles II as a boy, (1907). Portrait of Charles II (1630-1685) wearing a suit of armour

King Charles II, The Merry Monarch, (c1850). Portrait of Charles II (1630-1685), and below, a vignette showing the Restoration of the monarchy

Charles II Processing from the Tower of London to Westminster, 22 April 1661. Artist: Dirck Stoop
Charles II Processing from the Tower of London to Westminster, 22 April 1661. Charles II (1630-1685), King of England and Scotland from 1660, eldest son of Charles I (1600-1649)

The Royal Greenwich Observatory, Flamsteed House, Greenwich Park, London, c1820. The observatory was built by Christopher Wren (1632-1723)

Flamsteed House in Greenwich Park, London, late 17th century. Flamsteed House was designed by Christopher Wren on the orders of Charles II as a royal observatory

Marble bust of King Charles II, 17th century. Artist: Honore Pelle
Marble bust of King Charles II (29 May 1630 - 6 February 1685) by Honore Pelle, from the V&A Museums collection in London, 17th century

Charles II (1630-1685), King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1660. Charles entering London on 29 May 1660 after the restoration of the monarchy

Matchlock, British, c1700. Used at the time of William III

Handwriting and signature of Titus Oates, 1694 (pen & ink on paper)
KW478288 Handwriting and signature of Titus Oates, 1694 (pen & ink on paper) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Titus Oates (1649a'1705)

John Ogilby presenting his subscription list for Britannia to the King and Queen
XJF451351 John Ogilby presenting his subscription list for Britannia to the King and Queen, detail from Morgans map of London, 1682 (engraving) by English School

Triumphal on the water at the arrival in London of King Charles II and Queen Catherine of Braganza UK, print maker: Dirk Stoop, 1662

The Church of England Against the Papacy (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF131295 The Church of England Against the Papacy (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

The Coronation of Charles the Bald in 875 (engraving)
XIR1218136 The Coronation of Charles the Bald in 875 (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

1218137; out of copyright

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"King Charles II: A Royal Legacy and Turbulent Reign" Step back in time to the 17th century as we delve into the captivating life of King Charles II. From his birth in 1630 to his death in 1685, this monarch's story is filled with intrigue, power struggles, and a love for all things extravagant. At Newmarket Race Course in 1940, where equestrian excellence thrived even then, echoes of King Charles II's passion for horse racing can still be heard. This king was known for his keen interest in breeding racehorses and transforming Newmarket into a hub of equine excitement. Captured by Peter Lely's brush strokes in 1667, the Portrait Of Sir John Nicholas showcases the artistic prowess that flourished during Charles II's reign. Lely himself was appointed as Principal Painter to His Majesty – a testament to the king's appreciation for fine art. The clothing worn during the reigns of Charles I and II reflects an era defined by opulence and flamboyance. In both 1640-1686 and later revived in 1903-1937 depictions, we see sumptuous fabrics adorned with intricate embroidery – a reflection of King Charles II’s taste for grandeur. Navigating through tumultuous times marked by Stuarts' rule, Commonwealth upheaval under Oliver Cromwell, and House of Orange transitions culminating with William III & Mary II on the throne; it was King James I who paved the way for young Charles Stuart (later known as King Charles II) to ascend to power after years spent exiled abroad. Engraved portraits immortalize King Charles II’s regal visage - one such engraving from around 1660-70 by William Faithorne captures his majestic presence perfectly. The Duke of St. Albans’ portrait painted ca.