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Year 8

Charles II and the restoration of the monarchy

I can explain what happened during the Restoration and the reign of Charles II.

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Year 8

Charles II and the restoration of the monarchy

I can explain what happened during the Restoration and the reign of Charles II.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The return of King Charles II in 1660 was known as the 'Restoration'.
  2. Charles II was known as the 'Merry Monarch'.
  3. Charles II tried to move past divisions by working with Parliament and forgiving most people who fought for Parliament.
  4. Puritan influence in England was reduced duirng the Restoration.

Keywords

  • Exile - someone who is not allowed to live in their own country lives in exile

  • Restoration - the Restoration was the period of time after monarchy was brought back to England in 1660

  • Flattery - flattery involves saying nice things to someone in order to make them feel good about themselves

  • Sabbath - the Sabbath is a day of the week that many religious groups use for prayer and rest

  • Influencing - influencing involves affecting how others behave, or affecting how a situation develops

Common misconception

The Restored monarchy acted exactly the same way as it had before the Civil War

Charles II made a great effort to work with Parliament more co-operatively than his father. He let Parliament sit continuously for 18 years.


To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: Charles II and the restoration of the monarchy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Reading the Declaration of Breda could help pupils identify continuities and changes in the royal attitude to power. The Declaration showed Charles was committed to respecting Parliament but also reaffirmed his belief in the Divine Right of Kings.
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Adult supervision recommended

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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Cromwell always respected Parliament.
True
Correct answer: False
Q2.
Write the missing word. A republic is a country without a ...
Correct Answer: monarch, monarchy, king, queen, King
Q3.
Who was the most powerful person in England during the Interregnum?
King Charles I
King Charles II
Queen Henrietta Maria
Correct answer: Oliver Cromwell
Q4.
Which of the following was an example of direct military government in England?
First and Second Civil Wars
'Pride’s Purge'
Regicide of King Charles I
Correct answer: Rule of the Major-Generals
Q5.
Why did Fifth Monarchists believe they could challenge the Protectorate?
Because it was led by Puritans
Correct answer: Because it was preventing the return of Christ
Because it was restricting fun social activities
Because its leaders had supported the regicide
Q6.
Why were activities like theatre and horse racing banned during the Interregnum?
Correct answer: The activities could be used to make plots.
The activities could lead to the spread of disease.
The activities were too expensive.
The activities were too popular.
Correct answer: The activities were too sinful (not godly).

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A country without a monarch is called a ...
Correct Answer: republic, Republic
Q2.
The return of the monarchy to England and crowning of Charles II in 1660 is known as the ...
Correct Answer: Restoration, restoration
Q3.
Why did Charles II not punish all Parliamentarian leaders?
He did not know who all the Parliamentarian leaders were.
Correct answer: He wanted to help the country move on from its divisions.
He was too busy gambling, drinking and attending plays.
Q4.
Starting with the earliest, sort these events into chronological order.
1 - Execution of Charles I
2 - Beginning of the Protectorate
3 - Death of Oliver Cromwell
4 - Restoration of Charles II
Q5.
How can we tell Charles II was not a Puritan?
He allowed Parliament to sit for 18 years.
Correct answer: He enjoyed horseracing and the theatre.
Correct answer: He was called the 'Merry Monarch'.
He lived in exile from England.
Q6.
Identify a quote which shows George Willington was trying to flatter Charles II.
'pass laws to ensure that the holy Sabbath is more religiously respected'
'I beg Your Majesty that the places which generate sin may be beaten down'
Correct answer: 'This will make you famous for the ages as Charles the Good and the Great'

Additional material

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