Charles II: The Star King

by Clare Jackson

Charles II has always been one of the most instantly recognisable British kings - both in his physical appearance, disseminated through endless portraits, prints and pub signs, and in his complicated mix of lasciviousness, cynicism and luxury. His father's execution and his own many years of exile made him a guarded, curious, unusually self-conscious ruler. He lived through some of the most striking events in the national history - from the Civil Wars to the Great Plague, from the Fire of London to the wars with the Dutch.

Clare Jackson's marvellous book takes full advantage of its irrepressible subject.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, European History, Historical, Royalty, British Literature

117 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2016

About the author

Clare Jackson lectures in the history of political thought at the University of Cambridge.

Reviews

[Geevee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid insight and overview into the reign of and man that was Charles II. Although short - as is the series' purpose - the author offers a thematic approach that helps the reader see Charles's personality and behaviours.

His place in history as son of a deposed (and executed monarch) a refugee from his sovereign lands and a king following restoration of the monarchy are all given space. As is his attraction to women and the children they bore him. The final chapter gives a interesting end by looking at Charles and his image in the years immediately after his death until the present day.

All in all a good read for all and should set up new explorers of this interesting king for further reading.

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise, thematic biography of Charles II with a strong focus on the King's image both during his reign and in the centuries following his death. Examines the interplay between his personal and political lives as the public was concerned about the influence of his mistresses on state policy. The last chapter, Afterlives, is particularly interesting as Jackson observes that popular and scholarly perceptions of Charles II are very different with "the Merry Monarch" being viewed positively by the public but critically by scholars today.

[Jack Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is certainly a very interesting book and one of great breadth, but I feel that Clare Jackson has done an excellent job at not allowing the detail to equally suffer. This is enormously important because of the detail that allows one to understand the actual complexity of a character like Charles. However, I feel the writer could potential attack some of her points with more aggression, because in places there could be a great written argument. That being said the way that the author looks at the influence of religion is brilliant. We have to remember that one of the defining factors of this period is religious uncertainty. I am thinking especially towards the end of the book when she talks about the letters published about whether Charles is or isn’t a Catholic, then we have at the very begin of the book when we are thinking about the belief in the divine right of kings.
When boos like this are written we have got to remember the significance of symbolism to the contemporary people, because for example the star over his birth place is of huge importance and you can think about how that will have really animated some people. The author does actually look at the architecture of Windsor Castle and how the star building was added, and one can just imagine if you were visiting the king the impact that seeing that would have. Really it also had a huge impact on the people that lived there. This really does set the mood for how people think the king is going to act. There is the significance of the coronation being on St. George’s day. All of these factors that today won’t really cause the speculation that they did back then were a huge deal.
I believe there wasn’t actually enough focus on the amount of politics that was going on because if we think about the Rye House plot that was a really big deal when it came to dealing with whigs, because they were impacted big time by the backlash of that failed attempt.
Towards the end of the book I thought it was really important that the author brought up the Duke of York, because that relationship and the succession following 1685 is really significant, and I believe that the author captured that fact really well.

[Bookwormandtheatremouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles II was not a king I knew loads about other than the most famous points - however, this book has made me think more about this Restoration monarch. I think he is in fact quite a fascinating figure and is clearly someone who has Historians talking! These Penguin Monarchs books are great ways to get people talking and thinking about the monarchy and its rich History!

[Isabelle Sinnadurai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Star King. Bright. Shining. Blinding. Burning. Charles II, a man of many facets is wonderfully encapsulated in Clare Jackson's brief biography of the monarch. Covering the man's hypocrisies, interests, oxymorons, leadership. In this way the enigma of the man is lessened. Prompting readers to contemplate the image we present and the power this has in persuading others of who we are.

[Adeptus Fringilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this biography. It is very short but contains a lot of introductory information.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only a perfect introduction to the restoration king, but also a brilliant analysis of his image, word and impact.