← All characters

The Wealth of Nations · Character

Charles II

English king cited for economic legislation.

minor

Also known as Charles II, Charles I, King Charles II

First appearance: digression concerning the variations in the value of silver during the course of the four last centuries

Charles II's tie to Silver is one of the pressures that moves The Wealth of Nations—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Referenced in relation to the high price of corn during his reign and the beginning of coin clipping.
In the storyThird PeriodOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Silver (professional): Charles II and Silver have interactions related to royal economic policies or trade. With The Chinese (professional): Charles II and the Chinese have interactions related to royal trade…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Charles II sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Charles II in digression concerning the variations in the value of silver during the course of the four last centuries

Character Web

31 connections

A slice of how Charles II sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

TCThe ChineseHVHenry VIIIASAdam SmithJHJoseph HarrisJRJohn RaeCICharles II

Relationship types

  • Professional
  • Other

Character groups

  • English monarchs and economic policy
  • Ancient authorities and examples
  • Protagonist
  • Diverse authorities and generic roles

+26 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This passage marks the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Smi…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Charles II in digression concerning the variations in the value of silver during the course of the four last centuries

In the story

Charles II appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Charles II unlock in the free preview.

See Charles II in digression concerning the variations in the value of silver during the course of the four last centuries