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Charles II

Seismic splits: This map from c1659 shows blood being spilled across the British Isles during the Civil Wars. Charles II's agenda for restoring order to his kingdoms was a cocktail of pragmatism, compromise and brutality.

How Charles II put Britain back together after the Civil War

Now a protected species in many countries, the hedgehog was once also a health food. A German cookbook dating from the mid-15th century recommends the meat of a hedgehog as useful for leprosy and urinary retention. (Photo by Yuri SmityukTASS via Getty Images)

General ancient history

Hedgehogs, cannabis bread and horse placenta: 13 weird and wonderful health foods in history

The Charles II Royal Oak

History explorer: Charles II’s great escape

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Charles II on the run

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Charles II: the king in danger

Evening Party - Time of Charles II, 1850. A satirical illustration of King Charles II (1630?1685). King Charles II (163-?1685) was know as the 'Merry Monarch'. He had a great fondness for women and had many mistresses. From The Comic History of England by Gilbert Abbott A. Beckett, illustrated by John Leech [Bradbury, Agnew & Co., London, 1850.] (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)

Sex, scandals and betrayals: Charles II and his court

An illustration of Colonel Blood

The strange escapades of Colonel Thomas Blood

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Charles II: Too randy to rule

A portrait of Charles II, by 17th-century painter John Michael Wright

History explorer: The Restoration

The Berlin Wall and the return of Charles II

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King Charles II’s oak tree ‘saviour’ to be honoured for first time

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The King’s Revenge: Charles II and the Greatest Manhunt in British History

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What was the significance of the battle of Wigan Lane?

The white cliffs of Dover. (Photo by Don Klumpp via Getty Images)

Paper talk: a newspaper’s take on the Restoration

A portrait of Charles II wearing the robes of the Order of the Garter. (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

The Library Charles II: the people’s prince