King Charles II

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

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Reigned 1660–1685; the eldest son of Charles I; he reacted bravely to the outbreak of civil war in 1642; first saw service at Edgehill aged twelve and when advised to retreat cried 'I fear them not', flourished his pistol and had to be restrained from charging. He campaigned until sent abroad for safety in 1646. He made a daring invasion of England in 1651, which ended in disaster at the Battle of Worcester. Sheltered by Royalists for six weeks, he was finally able to escape to France. He was restored to the throne in 1660. This is the earliest known portrait of the future king. It was painted, according to the French inscription, when he was four months and fifteen days old. At this age he was described by his mother, Henrietta Maria, as 'so fat and so tall that he is taken for a year old'.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

King Charles II

Date

1630

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 120.7 x W 93.3 cm

Accession number

6403

Acquisition method

Purchased with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, 1997

Work type

Painting

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