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erikajay's review against another edition
4.0
I actually didn’t know much about Charles II’s time on the run in England after his father was beheaded.
Spencer does a good job of explaining the final days of Charles I, so it actually takes a little while before we get to Charles II’s escape, but I was fine with that. It is amazing to me how many close calls Charles had and how long he was able to be traipsing through the English countryside (in disguise, but he still moved around quite a bit) without getting caught.
Spencer also does a good job of examining his sources. He also gives us a very brief accounting of the rest of Charles’s life and the fates of those who helped him, which was a nice way to end this book.
Spencer does a good job of explaining the final days of Charles I, so it actually takes a little while before we get to Charles II’s escape, but I was fine with that. It is amazing to me how many close calls Charles had and how long he was able to be traipsing through the English countryside (in disguise, but he still moved around quite a bit) without getting caught.
Spencer also does a good job of examining his sources. He also gives us a very brief accounting of the rest of Charles’s life and the fates of those who helped him, which was a nice way to end this book.
8797999's review
5.0
Another excellent and enlightening read, a superb companion to the other book by Charles Spencer chronicling the revenge by Charles II over the murder of his father.
This book covers Charles II from his ill fated invasion of England via Scotland and his time spent on the run evading the Parliamentary forces over six weeks. Some amusing tales of the King sleeping in a tree (where Royal Oak pubs get their names) to dressing as a woodsman and trying not to stand out (common male heights being 5'6" to Charles' 6'2").
I dont think there can be spoilers given the book is about history but the book follows Charles and his return to the throne after the death of Cromwell and the lack of a succession following his tenure as Lord Protector. The nice bit is to see those who aided the King on his evasion get honours and rewards, what a thrill it must have been to be of assistance and in time see the efforts rewarded with the restoration of the monarchy.
The amusing reward was to a drunken man who chided Charles being a Roundhead get rewarded with a drinking cup.
As I said above a superb read and fantastic complement to the other book Killers of The King. I personally would read this one first given it covers the period before Charles II takes the throne and revenge on the regicides.
This book covers Charles II from his ill fated invasion of England via Scotland and his time spent on the run evading the Parliamentary forces over six weeks. Some amusing tales of the King sleeping in a tree (where Royal Oak pubs get their names) to dressing as a woodsman and trying not to stand out (common male heights being 5'6" to Charles' 6'2").
I dont think there can be spoilers given the book is about history but the book follows Charles and his return to the throne after the death of Cromwell and the lack of a succession following his tenure as Lord Protector. The nice bit is to see those who aided the King on his evasion get honours and rewards, what a thrill it must have been to be of assistance and in time see the efforts rewarded with the restoration of the monarchy.
The amusing reward was to a drunken man who chided Charles being a Roundhead get rewarded with a drinking cup.
As I said above a superb read and fantastic complement to the other book Killers of The King. I personally would read this one first given it covers the period before Charles II takes the throne and revenge on the regicides.
eric_conrad's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
This was an exciting account of a part of English history that prior to reading this book was only vaguely known to me Charles II certainly led an adventurous life. His six weeks on the run from his enemies was amazing to hear from those who helped him.
hrhaphrodite1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
5.0
ilikemandos's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
catherine_t's review
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
5.0
In 1651, Charles II's Royalist forces were soundly trounced by the New Model Army at the Battle of Worchester. Charles himself managed to evade the Parliamentary forces, fully aware that if he were captured, he'd suffer the same fate as his father. Thus began six weeks of running and hiding across the length and breadth of England.
English Civil War history isn't a specialty of mine; I've never really looked into it much, to be honest. I'm much more a medievalist who enjoys a side of World War II European history. But I also like to be somewhat well-rounded when it comes to British history, so when I came across this title as a bargain e-book, I couldn't really resist.
I'm glad I didn't, because this is a pretty fascinating tale. It's practically a Boys' Own story, what with the hiding in priest holes and, most memorably, up an oak tree, the wearing of disguises, and the near misses and close calls Charles suffered. From the moment Charles shouted, “Shift for yourselves, gentlemen!” to the fleeing men of the Royalist forces to the skin-of-his-teeth escape in the ship Surprise, I rather found myself on the edge of my seat, as it were—despite knowing the eventual outcome.
Spencer writes with a fluidity not many can achieve. I look forward to reading more of his work.