Charles II: His Life and Times (Kings & queens of England) [Abridged] [Hardcover]

Antonia Fraser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 19, 1993 | Series: Kings & queens of England

With Antionia Fraser's abridged biography at its core, this book chronicles the life and times of Charles II. It paints a picture of a glorious but troubled Restoration period, which followed Oliver Cromwell's Puritan Commonwealth, presenting the world in which the king moved: the dress, the manners, the morals, the entertainment and the society.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson; Abridged edition (August 19, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0297832212
• ISBN-13: 978-0297832218
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,592,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Bold, courageous, kept his head and found his crown., August 10, 2011

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This review is from: Charles II: His Life and Times (Kings & queens of England) (Hardcover)

I love King Charles II, he was speaking in parliament at age 10, fighting at age twelve along side of his father Charles I.
He was in exile for about 18 years. Ms. Fraser has given us a pretty good view of the young prince and King, however , I feel she left a lot out of this story. He was not only threadbare and shoeless, penniless, straving, he still fought to save his father who was captured by Cromwell. King Charles II raised an army from money received from his cousins in the Hague and Paris. He led the Scotts into battle at Worcester in 1651. He was defeated by Cromwell. He escaped capture, cutting his hair, dressing as a peasant, speaking the dialect of his countrymen, many Royalist gave him shelter and clothes . He was not caught even when the clothes were ill fitted. He was a very tall man for the times.
In 1660 on his 30th birthday he regained the throne. King Charles would never leave England again. He was called the "Merry Monarch", he would use his duplicit personality, wit, determination to stay above the fray involving his cousins in war not himself. He did got to war against the Dutch when he was paid. He made England prosper with trade, lining his pockets with French Gold from his cousin louis.
He had 14 natural children none by his wife Catherine of Braganza. He loved his mistresses and cared for each one. His children were all taken care of by him. He loved his country and his country loved him. No gates at Whitehall. He walked among his people speaking to them casually . Unlike Louis XIV, who had his castles gated. King Charles loved his people to wander around even when he ate in the Hall. His brother the Catholic once said"brother are you not afraid that an assin will kill you?"
In Which Charles replied "No brother, I have you, no man in England would kill me, when your alive, they do not want you for King"