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| Born 1630. |
Began to Reign May 29, 1660. | |
| Died Feb. 6, 1685. |
Reigned 24¾ Years. |
Soon after his coming to the throne, an act of indemnity was passed, from which those who had an immediate hand in the death of the late king were excepted. He also, contrary to the advice of his wisest councillors, married Catharine, Infanta of Portugal, his motive being to secure the dowry of this princess: the expences attending his profligate pleasures rendering this necessary. It was probably from the same motive that he declared war against the Dutch, which after being carried on with great fury for several years, was put a stop to by the treaty of Breda. Having got rid of Chancellor Clarendon, he took for his advisers a set of men known by the designation of the Cabal. The measures of the king and his advisers produced great discontent in the country; which the plague in London in 1665, and the great fire in the suc-
