This is a excellent book if you want to learn about the life of Charles Ii up to the return of the monarchy
The author has done loads of research it is incredibly detailed
I got the impression that at times neither Charles I or his son were advised very well and alot of courtiers seemed only out to get something for them selves
But I did enjoy reading this

From adored child to exiled king, this biography explores the formative years of Charles II, revealing the influences—political, familial, and personal—that shaped the “Merry Monarch” of Restoration England. It examines his tumultuous youth, his struggles during the English Civil War and Interregnum, and the events that led to his eventual restoration to the throne. This engaging, well-researched, high-drama biography brings Charles II’s childhood and young adulthood to life.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Any author venturing into the crowded field which is the English Civil War has to recognise that this is terrain well trodden by some superb historian storytellers like Austin Woolrych and Trevor Royle . An equally difficult challenge is how to place one individual or cause against the com0lex tapestry that is Britain in those turbulent years that saw rebellion, civil war, regicide, a dictatorship and restoration.

Ms Hobson has sought to address these challenges by focusing on the pre-restoration history of Charles II and, to a significant degree, has succeeded, although the opening pages are best passed over quickly as the fluency of the writing improves markedly in the book proper. Her approach is built around careful scholarship so that the stories and anecdotes that illustrate the growth and development of the future king can be reasonably relied upon. In common with other biographies, however, this can lead to a somewhat disconnected narrative as there are period well provided with well sourced material and then longer periods where Charles’s development remains a mystery.

Given the paucity of detailed evidence the emphasis given in the publisher’s summary and in the author’s text to the sex life of the Prince is strange. It’s perhaps better to leave that aspect of this tale to the sort of summary seen elsewhere rather than to litter the text with speculation. Overall, however, the reader cannot fail to feel something for a boy born to be king who then faces many threats to his life and liberty, the execution of his father, an uncertain future whilst Britain suffered the fratricidal civil wars and, eventually, a glorious return. Sympathies wane somewhat when the reader learns of his penniless wandering around the royal houses of Europe, begging financial support from his hosts as he makes his way from one to the next and his preparedness to see others die to secure his destiny.

King Charles II was born on May 29, 1630, at St James's Palace in London, as the eldest surviving son of King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria. His early life was marked by a happy and secure childhood with his siblings, but it took a dramatic turn with the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642.

*Early Years (1630-1649)*
- Charles was baptized on June 27, 1630, in the Chapel Royal by William Laud, a future Archbishop of Canterbury.
- He was supervised by the Protestant Countess of Dorset during his infancy.
- As the conflict between his father and Parliament escalated, Charles was taken to France by his mother for safety.
- At the age of 12, Charles witnessed the Battle of Edgehill, and by 15, he was involved in the 1645 campaigns, becoming the titular commander of the English forces in the West Country.

*Exile and Restoration (1649-1660)*
- After his father's execution in 1649, Charles II was proclaimed king by royalists, but he had to flee to mainland Europe after being defeated at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
- Charles spent the next nine years in exile, mostly in France, the Dutch Republic, and the Spanish Netherlands, attempting to secure support for his restoration.
- Following Oliver Cromwell's death in 1658, Charles was invited to return to Britain, and he was restored to the throne in 1660.

*Reign (1660-1685)*
- Charles II was crowned king on April 23, 1661, and his reign was marked by significant events, including the Great Plague of London in 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666.
- He promoted religious tolerance and arts, becoming known as the "Merry Monarch" for his lively and indulgent lifestyle.
- Charles II married Catherine of Braganza in 1662, but they had no surviving children. He, however, had numerous illegitimate children with his mistresses.

*Death and Legacy*
- Charles II died on February 6, 1685, at the Palace of Whitehall, possibly due to uraemia, a condition related to kidney dysfunction.
- He was succeeded by his brother James II, marking the end of his reign and the beginning of a new era in British history.

This is a fascinating and detailed account of the first thirty years in the life of the future Charles II. It explains the relationship between his parents, his siblings and the many women in his life. It goes into detail about the trials and tribulations of his life. There were so many details that I didn't know about Charles II, such that his childhood best friend was a piece of wood that he refused to be parted from.

If you are a lover of English history, then this will make a welcome addition to your collection.

This book offers a unique perspective on the early life of Charles II, focusing on the significant events and women who influenced the first thirty years of the man who would later be known as the "Merry Monarch." Rather than attempting to cover his entire life, the author delves into this formative period to illustrate how these early experiences shaped his later years and reign. I enjoyed it.

First things first, thank you to Pen and Sword and Netgalley for the advance copy! As usual, all opinions shared are 100% my own.

On my quest to learn more about England's monarchs, I am glad to have come across this book. "Charles II: From the Cradle to the Crown" by Claire Hobson is a well-research, deeply detailed exploration of Charles II's first thirty years. From his birth, passing through his childhood and education and his exile all the way to regaining the crown, the book does a great job at introducing someone like me, who knew very little about the English Civil War, while still maintaining focus of Charles II and his formative years.

While the book covers quite a lot of details, dates and names, it still found the space and time to provide personal moments from Charles II's life that brought him a lot more to life. Things like his favourite piece of wood as a child to him boring listeners with his stories later. Small moments like that spread throughout the book not only made me appreciate the extent of the author's research but also made the read itself more enjoyable.

I admit that I may not have retained all the political details and the battles, but it's just a sign that I must revisit the book later for them to stick. That being said, since I read the book to learn about the influences that shaped the 'Merry Monarch', I will say that the mission was accomplished.

If you're looking for a detailed exploration of the first thirty years of Charles II's life, his mistresses, his exile and the politics of the English Civil War, look no further.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

Claire Hobson’s Charles II: Prince and Pauper is a refreshing, focused look at the formative years of one of England’s most fascinating monarchs — long before he became the famously pleasure-seeking “Merry Monarch.” This isn’t the usual retelling of Restoration politics; instead, Hobson hones in on the boy who was born into privilege, thrust into chaos, and shaped by the pressures of exile, war, and survival.

I appreciated the emotional nuance here. Charles isn’t flattened into a caricature of libertinism or royalty — Hobson explores his early vulnerabilities, relationships, and even the attempts to “unboy” him as he was molded into a future king. His early brushes with danger (facing cavalry at just twelve?!) and his navigation of complex religious and political allegiances made for gripping reading. The influence of women in his life, particularly his mother and the royal court, was also explored in a way that felt thoughtful and well-balanced.

The writing is accessible but detailed, with a nice mix of narrative drive and scholarly insight. This book offers a more intimate, human portrait of Charles that makes his later reputation all the more interesting — and perhaps a bit more understandable.

Thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the ARC. I’m always excited to read their titles — consistently well-researched, compelling, and beautifully presented.

As the title suggests, this volume offers a sketch of the first thirty years of Charles II's life. A wonderful benefit of limiting the scope of the subject is that readers are offered a chance to more fully immerse themselves in the details surrounding the monarch’s childhood and early adult life. The book also works as a quick overview of the English Civil War and really allows the reader to get a sense of what motivated this conflict, how and why Charles I erred, and how the young Charles II navigated those precarious times.

My favorite anecdote was perhaps the exploration of Charles’ early affinity for a piece of wood who became his constant companion and the resulting musings over what this might signify. Another highlight was the discussion of Christabella Wyndham. I think in my other reading about Charles II, she has somehow been overshadowed by some of his later relationships, but the information presented about her was very interesting! Hobson’s writing is concise and accessible, making this both an easy and educational read that really helped me develop a further understanding of Charles II’s early life and influences.