Not Just the Tudors Charles II: Restoration of the Monarchy
13 snips
Feb 9, 2026 Dr Laura Engel, specialist in British literature, theatre and performance, explores the vibrant Restoration stage. She talks about the reopening of theatres, the bold arrival of actresses, and how court culture reshaped performance. Short, lively conversations capture spectacle, scandal, and the theatrical reinvention of London’s public life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Laws That Cemented Anglican Power
- The Clarendon Code enforced Anglican supremacy and expelled dissenting clergy, deepening religious divisions.
- These laws revealed the tension between Charles's tolerance and Parliament's push for conformity.
Restoration London's Cultural Revival
- Charles imported continental court culture, reviving theatre, music and social pleasure in Restoration London.
- He reopened theatres and introduced actresses, transforming urban cultural life.
A Dowry That Shaped Empire
- Catherine of Braganza's dowry included two million cruzados and the ports of Tangier and Bombay, which appealed to Charles's financial needs.
- Bombay later became central to the English East India Company's expansion and Tangier served as a Mediterranean naval base.
