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Charles was 12 when the Civil War began and two years later was appointed nominal commander-in-chief in western England. With the parliamentary victory he was forced into exile on the continent. He was in the Netherlands when, in 1649, he learnt of his father's execution.

• Charles II was a keen sportsman and was also responsible for the foundation of the Royal Observatory in 1675.

• Charles II converted to Catholicism on his deathbed

Jamie Parker was a member of the National Youth Music Theatre and trained at the Royal Academy for Dramatic Arts. He performed as Scripps in ‘The History Boy’s at the National Theatre and Henry V in ‘Henry V’ at the Globe Theatre. For radio he has played Hamlet, Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and voiced Donna Tarrt's The Goldfinch.

Pip Torrens is known for his roles in Pride and Prejudice, My Week with Marilyn and Dorian Gray. He recently appeared as Esmond Rothermere in the TV series Fleming. His Radio credits include The Cazalets, The Comic Illusion and Lewis and Tolkien.