| Issue | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parliamentary income | Set at £1.2 million per year — often fell short in practice |
| Dutch Wars cost | Three expensive wars significantly exceeded budget |
| Stop of the Exchequer (1672) | Charles suspended debt repayments to fund Third Dutch War — caused banking crisis |
| Secret Treaty of Dover (1670) | France paid Charles £160,000 per year in exchange for pro-French policy and secret promise to convert to Catholicism |
| After Exclusion Crisis | Charles managed without Parliament 1681-85 using French subsidy and careful spending |
This key facts covers Finance: The Constant Problem within Charles II's Court for GCSE History. Revise Charles II's Court in Restoration England 1660-1685 for GCSE History with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 5 of 16 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Charles II's Court
Why was Charles II known as the 'Merry Monarch'?
Why was Nell Gwyn particularly popular with ordinary Londoners compared to Charles II's other mistresses?
Quick recall flashcards
Who was Nell Gwyn?
Charles's most popular mistress — former orange seller and actress. Beloved by crowds as a Protestant Englishwoman. Famous quote: 'Pray, good people, be civil. I am the Protestant whore.'
Who was the Earl of Danby?
Charles's chief minister 1673-78. Anglican Tory who tried to build a royalist-Anglican alliance. Impeached 1678 over French negotiations. Later helped organise the Glorious Revolution of 1688.