Charles II, the eldest son of King Charles I, ascended to the English throne in 1660, marking the start of the Stuart Restoration. His reign, which lasted until his death in 1685, was characterized by a period of relative peace and prosperity. Charles II embraced a policy of religious tolerance, granting freedom of worship to nonconformists through the Act of Toleration. His reign also witnessed the establishment of the Royal Society, a scientific academy that contributed to the development of modern science. However, Charles II's reign was not without its challenges, including the Great Plague of London and the Great Fire of London, both of which devastated the city.
