The Merry Monarch’s Wild Affairs
King Charles II, England’s “Merry Monarch,” wasn’t just famous for restoring the crown - he was famous for keeping London gossip buzzing.
The marriage
His marriage to Catherine of Braganza on 21st May 1662 involved two wedding ceremonies! Charles married Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess, at a Catholic service in Portsmouth which honoured Catherine’s faith. A later Protestant ceremony in London satisfied English tradition.
The Dowry
Catherine’s marriage came with a king-sized dowry: £500,000, the port of Tangier, the island of Bombay, and lucrative trade with Portuguese colonies.
Catherine also introduced tea to England, giving the nation a custom we still cherish today. Tea, already popular among the Portuguese elite and in China, became part of English high society through Catherine’s influence. She reportedly enjoyed drinking it in the early afternoon, often accompanied by delicate cakes and pastries, setting a trend that quickly spread among the aristocracy.
What he brought to the marriage …
Charles had other interests. Nicknamed the “Merry Monarch,” he was famous for his charisma … and his unbridled appetite for mistresses. Despite being married, he fathered at least 19 illegitimate children with seven different women. These included the infamous Barbara Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland, and Nell Gwyn, a beloved actress. These affairs weren’t just whispered about - they were widely talked about at court, making Charles one of the most scandalous royals in history.
A dignified wife
Meanwhile, Catherine maintained a high level of loyalty despite her husband’s escapades. The marriage was politically advantageous for King Charles II but notoriously unromantic. Catherine remained largely faithful, enduring her husband’s dalliances with dignity.
Catherine’s life as the Queen of England was tinged with sadness as the couple never had children. In a time when producing an heir was central to a queen’s role, Catherine endured personal disappointment during their marriage of 25 years.
Not hidden away
King Charles II openly recognised several of his illegitimate and even granted titles, estates and positions at court. Including:
Charles FitzRoy (with Barbara Palmer) became Duke of Cleveland.
James Scott (with Lucy Walter) became Duke of Monmouth and was even considered a potential heir, though he could not inherit the throne.
Henry FitzRoy (with Barbara Palmer) became Duke of Grafton.
Nell Gwyn’s children also received royal attention, though not peerages.
No heirs
Charles’s lack of legitimate children meant that when he died in 1685, the crown passed to his brother, King James II. The Merry Monarch’s wild affairs highlight that history isn’t just dates and battles. We can’t help but feel sad for poor Catherine who arrived in England for her wedding at Sally Port in Portsmouth - no doubt full of hope and optimism for the future.
