What do You think about Royal Charles: Charles II And The Restoration (1980)?
A jolly good read! At a time when England was discovering tea, science, government and banking, Charles II lead a life out of a fairy tale. His father beheaded, his kingdom siezed, Charles was a warrior prince, a pauper in exile after a daring escape from England and finally, unexpectedly returned to his throne to open the golden age of The Restoration. A more extraordinary life cannot be imagined; a wise ruler, a loving father, a decent husband (despite his notorious mistresses and swarm of bastard children) He saw the plague and then a great fire destroy London. He deftly juggled the Byzantine politics of European wars and squabbling domestic religious zelotry. His life even ended with an extraordinary death bed religious conversion. His court was known for it's guilded excesses and pagentry yet Antonia Fraser reveals a wise and caring man who struggled to bring peace to his realm.
—Frederick Gault
I was a little in love with Charles II before I read this book, and a little more after. The book covers Charles years in exile after the beheading of his father, and the early part of his reign. Charles was energetic, kind and well mannered, fond of the theatre, and women, art, gardens, small dogs and beautiful buildings. He brought Yachts to England, and played real tennis, rode and swam in the Thames. He wasn't proud, and when he got hot, prone to whipping his wig off, no matter the company. There is a second book, and I have it, but I am a little concerned to read of Charles decline - I would rather I think remember him this way!
—Manda
