Charles II (1630–1685)

King Charles II of Great Britain and Ireland, in a portrait from 1680. In the following year, he dissolved Parliament and ruled without it, financed by Louis XIV of France.

King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1660, when Parliament accepted the restoration of the monarchy after the collapse of Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. He was the son of Charles I. His chief minister Edward Clarendon, who arranged Charles's marriage in 1662 to Catherine of Braganza, was replaced in 1667 with the Cabal of advisers. His plans to restore Catholicism in Britain led to war with the Netherlands (1672–74) in support of Louis XIV of France and a break with Parliament, which he dissolved in 1681. He was succeeded by James II.

When Charles dissolved Parliament, the Whigs fled in terror. He now ruled without a Parliament, financed by Louis XIV. When the Whigs plotted a revolt, their leaders were executed,

Charles II (1661–1700)

King of Spain from 1665. The second son of Philip IV, he was the last of the Spanish Habsburg kings. Mentally disabled from birth, he bequeathed his dominions to Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV, which led to the War of the Spanish Succession.