The Founding of Royal Society

I am an advocator of science and the development of intellectual aspect of England.

Allow me to give you a brief overview of the England’s intellectual history. Just like the rest of the European continent, England, too, caught interest in scientific studies. However, when Cromwell came into power, he suppressed Enlightened thinkers, known as the Levellers, and undermined their efforts. They offered new perspectives, including the advocacy of freedom of speech, religious toleration, and a democratic republic. Nevertheless, their efforts were utterly crushed.

I acknowledged this necessity of science in our society. During the first years of my reign, I formally recognized the Royal Society of London, which began as a gathering of intellectuals of England. The organization consisted of figures such as John Wilkins and Isaac Newton whose discoveries impacted the entire continent. In fact, neighboring nations quickly adopted state-supported scientific studies. France initiated the French Academy, which was entirely state-based. Although our Royal Society had the flexibility of its research, French Academy was solely directed by the government.

I am very proud to host such group in my state. I do believe that scientific developments will allow England to become the leading nation, not only in science but also in political, social and economic aspects.

-Charles

Religion, religion, religion...

I don’t understand why we can’t all just get along… Being the nice guy that I am, I want everybody to enjoy life without being interfered by others.

So the other day, I accepted Parliament’s Clarendon Code that basically reestablished the Church of England. Fine, no problem. They can practice their Anglican religion. But… they pushed it so that Catholics and Puritans were forced to conform to the Anglican Church. There’s a problem now. I don’t like being told what to do and I’m pretty sure none of our Catholic and Puritan friends do either. This was in the beginning of my reign… I’m getting used to the palace, the court life, and the day-to-day business. Who would’ve thought I’d have to refute the rulings of the Parliament. I, with audacity and in response to their unjust legislature, passed the Declaration of Indulgence which overruled the laws against the rights of the religious minorities. I felt pretty good stepping up for what I believed was right.

But these Parliamentary members are unrelenting: the following year, they passed the Test Act that offered military and governmental positions only to Anglicans.

I didn’t want to farther complicate these political issues or play along with their childish plays. I mean, I didn’t pass the declaration because I favored the Catholics… Other than the fact that my entire family is utterly Catholic and that I have some gains by being Catholic, I have no reason to favor Catholicism… My jurisdiction is solely for the good of the Mass.

It’s been tough trying to handle these religious issues.

-Charles

Woohoo Dogs in Parliament !

Guess who? Believe me or not, this is me as an infant. Can you believe Mom and Dad dressed me in a dress? Must have been the baby fashion back then.

Well, this post is not about me – it is about the most adorable creatures in the world: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I even named the breed after my name. I absolutely think they are adorable. I don’t remember much about my infanthood, but looking at the picture, I know I loved those spaniels as I love them now. In fact, I passed an edict the other day: no spaniels will be denied in any public places, including the Parliament. That’s right. Parliament, where no animals are allowed, will have to admit spaniels to its assembly.

This reinforces my lax, fun-loving personality. I, the Merry Monarch, do advocate loose, tolerant policies. These beliefs led me to cause dissension among the religious factions and to … let’s just say to love more than one woman. Yes, I do acknowledge my illegitimate children. There are definitely more to life than politics, work, and all the boring aspects of life. We all must learn to enjoy life !!

Just look at those puppies. Aren’t they just the greatest creatures?

-Charles

Complications after Complications..

It has been 5 years on the throne, and things are getting worse and worse.

It’s year 1665. Adding to the political, social, and religious craze, London is undergoing a major health issue. It’s unbelievable: people are dying left and right, and in fact, over 7,000 people died this one week. If you think monarchy is a desirable occupation, think again! I have to handle the issues Parliament shoves into the throne, take account of the social discriminations of the poor Catholics … and in addition, I have to look after myself and flee London to avoid the plague.

So I’m not at home, and I’m just waiting for all the troubles to settle down. It’s been a year, and great… something bigger happens. I’m told that there is a FIRE in London. The Great Plague of London is followed by the Great Fire of London. The irritating thing is that no one stepped up to lead the fire-fighting work. Being the “man” of the country, I, along with my brother James, led the men in stopping the fire. The bad news is: 13,200 houses burned down along with 87 churches. (wow we had that many churches in London?) But the good news is that fire had been stopped, AND the plague stopped. Maybe the fire somehow thwarted the plague.

It hasn't even been 10 years since my coronation, but so much happened already… Other than the fact that I have these awesome titles, I can attract the ladies, and I can get away with practically anything, being king sucks. But I think I can manage.

-Charles

A Royal Greetings

I am King Charles II, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. I must say I have lived a rather interesting life at a rather interesting period in history. Through this blog you will see the events during the 17^th century (including the English Civil War, the struggle of power between Parliament and me, and the approaches in ruling my kingdom) in my perspective and learn some of my interesting personal traits.

In 1630, I was born, grown up during the chaotic period of the English Civil War. It was an impossible time when subjects rose up against the king with arms. These radicals, in fact, forced the king, my father Charles I, on trial and ultimately decapitated him. Oliver Cromwell was the name... He initiated all the trouble; he was the one leading them… Fearful of the seemingly infinite treachery of these rebels, I reluctantly fled to my cousin Louis XIV (who was 8-years-old at the time). I was sixteen at that time – can you imagine what I was going through? Some 400 years later, sixteen-year-olds will be complaining about their European history exam, but I had to face the reality of running away to a foreign country for safety…

So from my teenage years until 1660 (I’m 30 by then) I spent time away from home. Once I tried to take the kingdom back by force with the help of the Scottish who felt oppressed by Cromwell’s so-called commonwealth; it tragically failed. Alas, they realized that monarchical rule is the way to go and invited me back to be their king. “I never knew that I was so popular in England.” It was spectacular how the whole London welcomed me, yet I knew they were fickle men who killed kings and wanted it back only when it suited them.

My reign was a constant struggle against Parliament. “We want more power; we want to levy taxes; we don’t want Catholics; we want this, we want that.” They say I am a relaxed, easy-going guy. I’m popularly known as the Merrie Monarch. There were a lot of struggle with Parliament: major religious issues, conflict over my succession, and the list goes on. There were compromises, but mostly competition of who can attain more power. Irritated, I finally dismissed the Parliament in 1681.

I also advocated science and overseas expansion. I was involved the Anglo-Dutch wars in order to claim the Dutch colonies of Africa and North America. It was a tough campaign, and so I needed aid from my cousin Louis, who lent me soldiers in exchange that I convert to Catholicism. This further created the dissensions among the Anglican, Protestant and Catholic advocators.

Towards the end of my reign, the succession was a big issue. Rumors of assassins replacing me with my Catholic brother James to create a Catholic state. Parliament’s bill that tried to stop James’ ascension, and the creation of political groups: Whigs and Tories who either supported the king or the Parliament.

That’s the brief narration of my life.

-Charles