Popularly referred to as the "Merry Monarch," Charles II was known for his lively and exuberant nature, which influenced the atmosphere of his court, characterized by hedonism and revelry. Born to King Charles I of England and Queen Henrietta Maria, Charles was conferred the titles of Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay shortly after his birth. He later took on the title of Prince of Wales. At the age of fourteen, he accompanied his father during the English Civil War but did not participate in the Battle of Edgehill, as it occurred before he was born. Following his father’s execution in 1649, Charles lived in exile during the period of the English Commonwealth. He returned to England in 1660 after the monarchy was restored and was crowned as the king of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Charles II’s reign was marked by two major tragedies in British history: the Great Plague of London (1665–1666) and the Great Fire of London (1666). His relationship with Parliament was often contentious, and his reign included fruitless military campaigns against the Dutch during the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars. His era is widely known as the Restoration period, marked by a resurgence of art, culture, and monarchy in England.