17th-century royal souvenirs tell the story of Charles II`s dramatic escape after the Civil War
(Artdaily.org)

A new exhibition Charles II: Art & Power, which opened (8 December) at The Queen`s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, explores the colourful reign of Charles II, who came to the thrones of England and Ireland in 1660 after over ten years of Commonwealth rule. The exhibition begins with a number of works that record the famous episodes in the King`s escape to Europe after his defeat by Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651. After the final, decisive, engagement of the English Civil War, Charles fled to Boscobel House in Shropshire. He later recorded the details of his escape in An Account of the Preservation of King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester. The King recalls how Colonel William Careless, an attending Royalist officer, advised him that it was too dangerous to take refuge in the house or nearby woods. There was only