King Charles II (1630–1685) as a Young Man in Exile, studio of Gerard van Honthorst

The Stuart or Stewart period of England was a dramatic period in history, while a great deal was contributed to the arts, to innovations in industry, science and the humanities. It was a major age of change, heading from the older Tudor...

Handsome? Not in the least. Sexy? Absolutely! King Charles II had the 'it' factor, and a strong libido to go with it, even for a king. Of him, the author John Evelyn wrote: "a prince of many virtues and many great imperfections, debonair, easy of access, not bloody or cruel". He went down in history as the Merry Monarch.

Charles II - Sir Peter Lely - circa 1670

Tim Harris explores the political spin, intolerance and repression that underlay Charles II’s relaxed image, and which led him into a deep crisis in 1678-81 yet also enabled him to survive it.

Known as the ‘Merry Monarch’, the reign of Charles II differed dramatically from what had come before. Following the English Civil War, the execution of - British History, Featured, Long Reads, Restoration Era, Royal History, The Monarchs

In celebration of the upcoming royal wedding I have prepared a list to celebrate another British royal tradition - the mistress. Mistress's have been recognised since written history began. Traditionally a mistress was a woman who was kept, as a lover, by a man who could afford to maintain her lifestyle, the better the mistress the more costly the upkeep. Young women, and often there family's, would work to attract the richest and most powerful lovers for the money and status that came with…

An Eye for Impressionism: Property from an Important American EstateSir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A.Plympton, Devon 1

Today, waistcoats, or vests, are the essential third piece in the traditional three-piece male business suit. Historians can precisely date their origen to King Charles II of England (1630 - 1685), who introduced the vest to the English

3d Character artist