Counterattack at Red Hill
Charles II personally rallies Royalist troops for a counterattack against the weakened Parliamentarian positions east of Worcester.
Role range: 1642-1651 – 1649-1651
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Charles II Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow Charles II through 224 dated historical records for England.
Charles II, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
224Distinct records
2 of 6Page
1651–1660Years on this page
1651
Escape from Worcester
Charles II abandons the defeated Royalist army and escapes north from Worcester with a small group of companions.
Role range: 1642-1651 – 1649-1651
Observation from Worcester Cathedral
Charles II watches the developing battle from Worcester Cathedral tower before leaving to rally troops east of the Severn.
Role range: 1642-1651 – 1649-1651
Royalist Sortie through Sidbury Gate
Charles II moves through Sidbury Gate toward Fort Royal and Perry Wood while rallying troops for the eastern counterattack.
Role range: 1642-1651 – 1649-1651
Refuge at White Ladies
Charles II reaches White Ladies after riding through the night and disguises himself as a countryman to avoid Parliamentarian search parties.
Role range: 1642-1651 – 1649-1651
Royal Oak Concealment
Charles II hides with William Careless in an oak near Boscobel while Parliamentarian soldiers search the surrounding area.
Role range: 1642-1651 – 1649-1651
Exile of Charles II
Leaves France, which resumes relations with England, for Aachen. Joined in Aachen by his sister, the recently widowed Princess Mary
Role range: 1642-1649 – 1660-1685
Refuge at Moseley Old Hall
Charles II remains concealed at Moseley Old Hall before moving to Bentley Hall and continuing his escape under disguise.
Role range: 1642-1651 – 1649-1651
Exile of Charles II
Flees to France in a State of destitution
Role range: 1642-1649 – 1660-1685
Refuge at Trent Manor
Charles II takes refuge at Trent Manor during the prolonged search for a vessel that can carry him safely to France.
Role range: 1642-1651 – 1649-1651
Interregnum
Charles escaped into exile after evading Commonwealth forces for six weeks.
Role range: 1649-1660 – 1649-1660
Exile of Charles II
On the run for 6 weeks after the Battle of Worcester. Leaves England on a hired boat, The Surprise, from Shoreham
Role range: 1642-1649 – 1660-1685
Exile of Charles II
After six weeks in hiding, Charles II leaves England secretly from near Shoreham aboard the vessel later remembered as the Surprise.
Role range: 1642-1651 – 1649-1651
Exile of Charles II
Lands at Fecamp near Rouen
Role range: 1660-1685
Capture of Jersey
The last Royalist stronghold in England surrenders to the Commonwealth
Role range: 1642-1649 – 1660-1685
Commonwealth
The last Royalist stronghold in England surrenders to the Commonwealth
Role range: 1642-1649 – 1660-1685
1653
Alliance Charles II and Scottish clans
Sends General Middleton to support the Scottish clans who declared loyalty to the King
Role range: 1642-1649 – 1660-1685
Sealed Knot
Supports a conspiratorial royalist society in England called the Sealed Knot
Role range: 1642-1649 – 1660-1685
1656
Alliance Charles II and Spain
Negiates with the Spanish Governor Don Juan for an alliance with Spain
Role range: 1642-1649 – 1660-1685
Plot
Charles II offers a knighthood & 500 pounds pension pa to anyone who would kill Cromwell
Role range: 1660-1685
Alliance Charles II and the Spanish Army
The Spanish Army agrees to restore Charles to the throne but Jamaica must be returned
Role range: 1660-1685
Exile of Charles II
Exiled to Spain after Cromwell agrees to it in a secret Treaty with France
Role range: 1660-1685
1658
Treaty of Charles II
Will support Irish Catholics & give Spain support against France after his restoration. The Spanish agree to help restore Charles II. Spain agrees to support the exiled King & his brother James. Spain agrees to open its ports to Royalist privateers & supports restoration. Charles agrees to revoke anti-Catholic laws
Role range: 1660-1685
Death of Charles II
Hears of the death of Cromwell while in exile in The Netherlands. Death of Cromwell, it is certain the monarchy will be restored
Role range: 1660-1685
1659
Exile of Charles II
Returns to Calais in support of Royalist plots to restore the Monarchy
Role range: 1660-1685
1660
Declaration of Breda
Charles II issues the declaration offering pardon, religious moderation, property settlement and army arrears.
Role range: 1660-1685
Declaration of Breda
Issues the Declaration of Breda promising pardon, religious toleration and settlement of army arrears.
Role range: 1660-1685
Army Arrears Promise
Charles promised that Parliament would arrange payment of arrears owed to the army.
Role range: 1649-1660
Declaration of Breda Issued
Charles issued proposals designed to secure a peaceful restoration of monarchy.
Role range: 1649-1660
General Pardon Promise
Charles promised a broad pardon while leaving Parliament to identify limited exceptions.
Role range: 1649-1660
Liberty to Tender Consciences
Charles promised religious indulgence for peaceful differences of conscience, subject to parliamentary legislation.
Role range: 1649-1660
Property Settlement Promise
Charles proposed that disputed property transfers should be resolved by Parliament.
Role range: 1649-1660
Interregnum
Charles issued the Declaration of Breda promising a parliamentary settlement and qualified clemency.
Role range: 1649-1660 – 1649-1660
Succession
Succeeds as King of England
Role range: 1660-1685
Election
Opening day of Parliament after a general election which returns a monarchist majority
Role range: 1660-1685
Parliament
Opening day of Parliament after a general election which returns a monarchist majority
Role range: 1660-1685
Restoration
Charles's restoration is now certain
Role range: 1660-1685
Declaration Read
The Declaration of Breda is read to Parliament and becomes the basis for Charles II's return.
Role range: 1660-1685
Succession
Final day of the Interregnum, rule without a monarch
Role range: 1660-1685
King Proclaimed
Parliament proclaims that Charles II has been lawful king since the execution of Charles I.
Role range: 1660-1685
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.