Who was the King of England during the Restoration?

• A. Charles II
• B. James II
• C. Charles I
• D. Oliver Cromwell

Answer: (A)

The Restoration is about England’s return to monarchy after years of republican rule following the Civil War. The king who led that return and began the Restoration era was Charles II, who had been in exile and was invited back to ascend the throne in 1660. His accession marked the reestablishment of the monarchy, the Parliament, and the Church of England after the Puritan-led Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. Charles II’s reign, often called the Restoration period, lasted until 1685. Before this turn of events, Charles I had been the king whose actions sparked the conflict and his execution in 1649 ended the monarchy for a time, while Oliver Cromwell led the republican government as Lord Protector. James II would come to the throne after Charles II, as his brother.