Charles II (1630-1685), c.1670 (oil on canvas)

Creator: Sir Peter Lely A portrait of King Charles II (1630-1685) by Sir Peter Lely. Charles II fled England in 1649 when his father was executed by Cromwell's Roundheads. He returned in 1660 as Britain's new King when the monarchy was restored albeit with fewer privileges than they had before the Civil War. Charles reign was a peaceful and for the most part tolerant one earning him the nickname the 'Merry Monarch'. On the issue of the phenomenon of coffeehouses spreading the capital he was a little less than tolerant however. Fearing they would encourage revolutionary activities he issued a proclamation suppressing Coffee Houses on 23 December 1675. The public response was so negative however that it was revoked almost immediately, on 8 January 1676.