VICTIM OF WAR He would go on to become Britain’s bawdiest king, but Charles II’s life wasn’t always easy-going
ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST © HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II, 2016/BRIDGEMAN IMAGES X1, BRIDGEMAN IMAGES X1
When Charles II fled Worcester after his defeat there in September 1651, his chances of avoiding capture were, on the face of it, not good. The entire Parliamentarian army was looking for him, while posters bearing his description offered a staggering £1,000 (at least £75,000 today) reward for his arrest. Being tall and swarthy, he would have had great di culty in trying to blend into a crowd, and any attempt to disguise him as a servant would be hampered by the fact that his privileged background had given him little idea of how to carry out menial tasks. at he did manage to escape was largely down to the loyalty and courage of those he sought refuge with (many of whom were Catholic), his own coolheadedness and quick-thinking, as well as a large slice of luck.
’ARBOURING A FUGITIVE The King dozes off on a fellow escapee’s shoulder while hiding from Parliamentarian troops in a tree