# King Charles II — The Great Roxhythe character guide > King Charles II in The Great Roxhythe by Georgette Heyer. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Charles, Sir Charles, King Charles, Charles R., the King **First appearance:** 0004-i-the-king-and-his-favourite ## Snapshot The merry, money-hungry monarch whose easy smile conceals a shrewd political mind — and whose secrets bind Roxhythe to his service. ## Who they are Charles rules a court of wit and license, trusting Roxhythe above all others while his brother James chafes at being kept in the dark. He wants French gold and a Catholic alliance, but he wants them on his own terms, and he plays his sister Henriette and Louis XIV against each other with patient cunning. His favour is the prize everyone at Whitehall circles, and his hidden negotiations drive the book's central intrigue. ## Relationships ### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe) _professional_ King Charles II relies heavily on Lord Roxhythe as his most trusted and effective agent, handling sensitive political and espionage matters. ### [Duke of York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/duke_of_york) _family_ The Duke of York is King Charles II's younger brother and heir, with a relationship marked by loyalty but also religious and political tension. ### [Lord Danby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_danby) _professional_ King Charles II employs Lord Danby as a key minister, valuing his administrative skills but often distrusting his ambitions. ### [William of Orange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/william_of_orange) _rivalry_ King Charles II and William of Orange are wary rivals, with Charles seeking to maintain English independence from Dutch influence. ### [David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/david) _professional_ David serves King Charles II as a loyal agent, carrying out orders with discretion and efficiency. ### [Louise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/louise) _romantic_ Louise is King Charles II's mistress, enjoying his favor and affection while wielding considerable influence at court. ### [Monmouth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/monmouth) _family_ Monmouth is King Charles II's illegitimate son, whom the king loves but keeps at a political distance due to succession concerns. ### [Lord Ashley-Cooper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_ashley_cooper) _professional_ King Charles II employs Lord Ashley-Cooper as a minister, but their relationship is strained by Ashley-Cooper's shifting loyalties and ambitions. ### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe) _professional_ King Charles II relies heavily on Lord Roxhythe as his most trusted and effective agent, handling sensitive political and espionage matters. ### [Lord Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/lord_roxhythe) _professional_ King Charles II relies heavily on Lord Roxhythe as his most trusted and effective agent, handling sensitive political and espionage matters. ### [David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/david) _professional_ David serves King Charles II as a loyal agent, carrying out orders with discretion and efficiency. ### [Duke of York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/duke_of_york) _family_ The Duke of York is King Charles II's younger brother and heir, with a relationship marked by loyalty but also religious and political tension. ## In the story ### [The Great Roxhythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/the-great-roxhythe) Monarch who relies on Roxhythe's cunning and service. ### [Book I: The Ways Run Parallel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/book-i-the-ways-run-parallel) Mentioned as the monarch whose policies and secrets drive much of the plot. ### [I: The King and His Favourite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-the-king-and-his-favourite) Reveals his financial desperation and his plan to use William of Orange to gain independence from Louis XIV, showing his manipulative and cynical side. ### [II: The King His Councillors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ii-the-king-his-councillors) Referenced as having spoken with Roxhythe and being the orchestrator of the secret mission. ### [III: Christopher Dart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iii-christopher-dart) Appears at court with la belle Stewart; later grants a short audience to Roxhythe, approving the plan and laughing at the description of the interview with Christopher. ### [IV: Flushing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iv-flushing) Mentioned as the target of Roxhythe's staged disgrace; Roxhythe took a liberty with him. ### [VI: Roderick Dart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vi-roderick-dart) Referenced via his signet ring, which Roxhythe uses as proof of his mission. ### [VII: William of Orange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vii-william-of-orange) Referenced as the instigator of the proposition to William, seeking financial support through an alliance. ### [IX: The King of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ix-the-king-of-england) Receives Roxhythe warmly, listens to his report with amusement and concern, and decides to turn to France after the failure with William. ### [I: January, 1669](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-january-1669) Appears at Whitehall, jesting with Roxhythe and the court; shows some concern for the Queen's unhappiness but is easily wearied by her. ### [II: The Offer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ii-the-offer) Presides over the meeting with Colbert, appears unperturbed by Clifford's outburst, and later discusses strategy with Roxhythe, showing his political acumen. ### [VI: The Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vi-the-price) Welcomes Roxhythe, discusses the treaty's progress, and defends his secret approach against his brother's objections. ### [VII: The First Seed of Doubt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vii-the-first-seed-of-doubt) Christopher reflects on his father's distrust of the King, but maintains his own trust in Charles' integrity. ### [VIII: Madame](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/viii-madame) Referenced as the English king who must decide on the treaty. ### [X: May, 1670](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/x-may-1670) In high spirits as the treaty nears completion. He prioritizes war with Holland over declaring Catholicism, securing French funds, and shows a relaxed attitude toward James's concerns. ### [XI: Unrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/xi-unrest) Visits Bevan Court with his mistress, the Duchess of Portsmouth; continues to amuse himself amid political unrest. ### [Book III: Quo Vadis?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/book-iii-quo-vadis) Roxhythe's sovereign, whose trust and favor are pivotal. ### [I: Whitehall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-whitehall) Complains of political pressures, discusses removing Lord Ashley from the Cabinet, and considers proroguing Parliament. Shows affection and concern for Roxhythe. ### [The Most Noble the Marquis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/v-the-most-noble-the-marquis) Dissatisfied with negotiations through Barillon, he sends Roxhythe to France to discover Louis's maximum terms for a second treaty. ### [VI: The King His Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vi-the-king-his-will) Visits Roxhythe, initially furious about the shooting but agrees to treat it as an accident; discusses his need for funds from Louis XIV and is hurt by Roxhythe's refusal to carry the letter. ### [VII: The Hand of Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vii-the-hand-of-fate) Visits Roxhythe to secure a courier for secret dispatches, approving the plan to use Christopher while keeping him ignorant. ### [VIII: The Amiable Mr. Milward Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/viii-the-amiable-mr-milward-again) Receives Christopher's report and thanks him for the successful mission; offers to grant a favor. ### [IX: Disillusionment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ix-disillusionment) The King is implicated in secret treaties with France and manipulation of Parliament, as revealed in Roderick's letter and Roxhythe's confession. ### [X: The Bitter Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/x-the-bitter-hour) Christopher's ideal of the King is shattered; he now sees Charles as complicit in the schemes that have betrayed his trust. ### [Book IV: The One Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/book-iv-the-one-part) The monarch whose policies and secret dealings drive the plot, balancing power and religion. ### [I: The New Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-the-new-master) Present at Whitehall, converses with Lady Frances and Roxhythe. ### [II: The Coming of William](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ii-the-coming-of-william) Walks with Roxhythe, discusses the marriage and political concerns, and formally welcomes William of Orange. ### [III: La Kéroualle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iii-la-k-roualle) Appears with the Duchess of Portsmouth, shows off his gardens to William, and is the subject of political speculation regarding the French alliance. ### [V: Discord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/v-discord) Busy managing foreign relations; sends Roxhythe to France, negotiates secretly with Louis, and withdraws troops from Holland, amused by the diplomatic chaos. ### [VII: The Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vii-the-revenge) Brooding by the fire, nursing a spaniel; anxious about Danby's impeachment and Louis's revenge. ### [Book V: The Other Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/book-v-the-other-part) Monarch involved in the political machinations that define the chapter. ### [I: The Triple Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/i-the-triple-game) Conspires with Roxhythe, agreeing to his plan to act as a secret agent against Shaftesbury and the exclusion movement. ### [II: The Schemers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ii-the-schemers) Consults with Roxhythe in his closet, approving the strategy to use Monmouth's promotion to isolate Shaftesbury. ### [III: Agitations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iii-agitations) Falls ill; prorogues Parliament; seeks advice from Roxhythe; defends Roxhythe against his brother's accusations. ### [IV: The King His Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iv-the-king-his-triumph) Refuses to intervene in Stafford's execution, issues a declaration to appeal to the nation, and placates Louis XIV. ### [Plots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/v-plots) Agrees to Roxhythe's advice to return to London early, narrowly escaping assassination. ### [VI: Monmouth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vi-monmouth) Listens to Roxhythe's account of the conspiracy and expresses concern for Monmouth. ### [February, 1685](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/vii-february-1685) Dies after a brief illness; receives last rites from a priest arranged by Roxhythe. ### [IX: The Sunderlands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/ix-the-sunderlands) Though deceased, Charles II is remembered by Roxhythe, who mourns him while holding a comfit-box inscribed with their initials. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters/king_charles_ii - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/characters