The English Civil War (1642-1651) has been described as ‘the bloodiest and most violent in the entire history of these islands.’ It culminated in the execution of Charles I and a decade of Republican rule. In 1660, however, the monarchy was peacefully restored under Charles II, a milestone that led to the great constitutional monarchy that survives to this very day.

Regicide and Republicanism

It’s 1649 and the Civil War has taken a terrible toll: in a decade of slaughter the casualties amount to well over half a million between the three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland while thousands of people have been deported. Charles I has been executed and his son, Charles II, forced into exile. The new regime, with Oliver Cromwell at its head, is ‘relentless toward the late King’: the royal art collection is up for sale and the ancient Regalia has been broken up, its gold and silver melted down for coining and its jewels sold. Monarchy and the Lords have been abolished, inns and theatres have been closed, Christmas has been banned and sports forbidden.

From the reign of Charles II, the tradition began of succeeding monarchs facing in the opposite direction to the predecessor. Some believe it began because Charles II wanted to turn his back on Cromwell.

The Interregnum (1649-1660)

In the ensuing years Cromwell became all powerful and in December 1653 was made Lord Protector. Soon after his death in 1658, however, the republic crumbled and calls for a return of monarchy were loud and open. ‘Everybody now drinks the King’s health without any fear’ recorded Samuel Pepys. The stage was set.

The Monarchy Survives under Charles II (1660-1685)

In January 1660 General George Monck, Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth forces in Scotland, crossed into England. He took over London’s defenses, ‘persuaded’ Parliament to dissolve and, in a masterstroke of strategy, advised the exiled king in Breda to issue a conciliatory Declaration of Intent agreeing that ‘the government is and ought to be by King, Lords and Commons’. On 29 May, his 30th birthday and technically the 12th year of his reign, Charles II made a triumphant return to London. New regalia was made and on 23 April 1661, he was at last crowned at Westminster Abbey. His was a reign of cultural vitality, golden days over which the king presided, cultivated, cosmopolitan, an affable and easy man, quick-witted and with a good memory, who ‘knew well the state of affairs both at home and abroad’, and who had a softness of temper that charmed all who came near him.’

The Commemorative Coin

Charles II made several attempts to regain the throne of England. He had been crowned king in Scotland on 1 January 1651 and when Oliver Cromwell’s forces gained control of southern Scotland that summer, he opted to take the war to England, reaching Worcester on 22 August. Here his forces were crushed by Cromwell’s men on 3 September, and Charles spent the next six weeks on the run in England – hiding, on one occasion, in an oak tree at Boscobel in Shropshire, sheltered on another by the Catholic priest Father John Huddleston – before finally escaping to France.

The reverse of the commemorative coin recalls his escape with oak leaves featuring prominently, as well as oak apple flowers. The latter refer to Oak Apple Day, a national holiday celebrated on 29 May. The heraldic crown is a very simplified version of St Edward’s crown, newly made for the king using gold from the original, and the floral design beneath it includes an English rose of the period and thistles to represent Scotland. The entwined Cs and lettering style are taken from the coinage of Charles II.

The edge inscription on the precious metal coins - A QUIET AND PEACEABLE POSSESSION - are words taken from the Declaration of Breda, issued by Charles II when in exile at Breda and in which he promised to ‘bind up the wounds of a broken nation’.