Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • King of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1630-1685): A monarch who ruled the three kingdoms from 1660 until his death. His reign, known as the Restoration, followed the period of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.
   • Holy Roman Emperor and King of France (823-877): Also known as Charles the Bald, he was a Carolingian ruler who was King of West Francia (France) and later crowned Holy Roman Emperor.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (English Monarch):

  • The Great Fire of London occurred during the reign of Charles II.
  • After years in exile, Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660.

• Proper noun (Holy Roman Emperor):

  • Charles II was a grandson of the emperor Charlemagne.
  • The Treaty of Verdun in 843 led to Charles II receiving the kingdom of West Francia.

Advanced Usage

• "The Restoration of Charles II": Refers specifically to the historical event and period when the monarchy was returned to England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1660.

  • The Restoration of Charles II brought back theatre and public festivities that had been banned under Puritan rule.

• "The Merry Monarch": A common historical nickname for Charles II of England, referencing the lively and hedonistic court culture of his reign.

  • Charles II, often called the Merry Monarch, was known for his many mistresses.

Variants and Related Words

• Carolean (adj): Pertaining to the reign of Charles I or Charles II of England.

  • Carolean architecture has distinct features from that period.

• Restoration (n): The historical period in British history beginning with the return of Charles II.

  • Restoration comedy is a genre of play from the late 17th century.

Synonyms

• Charles the Bald: A synonym specifically for Charles II (823-877), the Holy Roman Emperor and King of West Francia.
• The Restoration King: A descriptive synonym for Charles II of England.

Related Phrases

• "The Cavalier King": Another epithet for Charles II of England, referencing the royalist supporters (Cavaliers) in the preceding English Civil War.
  • As the Cavalier King, Charles II symbolized the return of royalist traditions.

Notes on Different Meanings

• This entry refers to two distinct historical figures who share the same regnal number. Context is crucial to determine which is being discussed. In most English-language contexts, "Charles II" unmodified refers to the 17th-century British king. The 9th-century Frankish ruler is often specified as "Charles II, Holy Roman Emperor" or "Charles the Bald."

Noun

1. King of England and Scotland and Ireland during the Restoration (1630-1685)
2. as Charles II he was Holy Roman Emperor and as Charles I he was king of France (823-877)