History of King Charles II of England

Jacob Abbott wrote a series of these books about the English monarchs. This is a very nice story. It begins mainly with the strife of Charles I whose troubles affected his son in major ways. Charles I did not get along with parliament and there was a movement to become a republic rather than a monarchy that was becoming popular. The days of kings with absolute monarchy were ending and the idea that parliament was a much stronger institution. Charles I lost his head and Cromwell became the leader of the republic for several years. Cromwell's problem was that a republic was never truly created and England became ruled harshly by rich wealthy men in Parliament. Citizens who expected a vote and ability to self determination were very disappointed. Charles II was raised in France with his mother after they fled there and moved to Holland where his sister was married to the Duke of Orange then traveled to Scotland to accept his crown as their king. The culture of France and Scotland was so different, Charles II could barely stand it and after deciding to forego amassing an army in Scotland to conquer England, went there himself to gather troops. Some royalists joined but were far outnumbered. Unable to return to Scotland, Charles II had to flee to Wales where he was the prince for help.