'Restoration' refers to the period following the return of the English monarchy to the throne in 1660 after eleven years of Commonwealth rule. When Oliver Cromwell died in 1658, his son Richard was not powerful enough to hold the Commonwealth together. The English Parliament, rather than see the country descend into another civil war, invited Charles II to rule England. Charles graciously accepted.

Charles II was 30 years old when he returned to England. Tall, athletic, intelligent, and curious about the world around him, Charles brought home from his exile on the continent new ideas and a love of life in sharp contrast to dour Puritan thinking. Under his rule fashion became extravagant, theatre and all sorts of amusements flourished, and scientific thought was encouraged.


Tell me more ...