Jenny Uglow - A Gambling Man - Charles Ii And The Restoration

Episode

First
Broadcast

Comments

20100510

Michael Maloney reads from the book by Jenny Uglow.

Charles II was thirty when he crossed the Channel in fine May weather in 1660. His Restoration was greeted with maypoles and bonfires, like spring after long years of Cromwell's rule. But there was no going back, no way he could 'restore' the old. Certainty had vanished. The divinity of kingship fled with his father's beheading. 'Honour' was now a word tossed around in duels. 'Providence' could no longer be trusted.

As the country was rocked by plague, fire and war, people searched for new ideas by which to live.

Exactly ten years later Charles would stand again on the shore at Dover, laying the greatest bet of his life in a secret deal with his cousin, Louis XIV.

The Restoration decade was one of experiment: from the science of the Royal Society to the startling role of credit and risk, from the shocking licence of the court to the failed attempts at toleration of different beliefs. Negotiating all these, Charles, the 'slippery sovereign', layed odds. Yet while his grandeur, his court and his colourful sex life were on display, his true intentions lay hidden.

A Gambling Man is a portrait of Charles II, exploring his elusive nature through the lens of these ten vital years - and a portrait of a vibrant, violent, pulsing world, in which the risks the king took forged the fate of the nation, on the brink of the modern world.

Written by Jenny Uglow

Read by Michael Maloney

Producer: Joanna Green

In May 1660, after years of exile in Holland, Charles II was reinstated as sovereign.

20100511

Charles works quickly to re-establish the monarchy and ensure a stable government. A glamorous and decadent court is also making a name for itself with Charles at its centre.

Written by Jenny Uglow

Read by Michael Maloney

Producer: Joanna Green

Having re-established the monarchy, Charles turns his attentions to matters of the heart.

20100512

As a keen theatre-goer, Charles takes every opportunity to mingle with his people.

20100513

The Restoration is firmly established and trade is flourishing. Charles' next aim is to make England master of the seas. But he's up against fierce competition and war with the Dutch is imminent.

Written by Jenny Uglow

Read by Michael Maloney

Producer: Joanna Green

Charles aims to make England master of the seas, but war with the Dutch is imminent.

05 LAST

20100514

After The Great Fire of London in 1666, rebuilding work began with a vengeance. But elsewhere, all is not well and Charles is about to take the biggest gamble of his life.

Written by Jenny Uglow

Read by Michael Maloney

Producer: Joanna Green

With the country in disarray, Charles embarks on the biggest gamble of his life.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
01	20100510	Michael Maloney reads from the book by Jenny Uglow. Charles II was thirty when he crossed the Channel in fine May weather in 1660. His Restoration was greeted with maypoles and bonfires, like spring after long years of Cromwell's rule. But there was no going back, no way he could 'restore' the old. Certainty had vanished. The divinity of kingship fled with his father's beheading. 'Honour' was now a word tossed around in duels. 'Providence' could no longer be trusted. As the country was rocked by plague, fire and war, people searched for new ideas by which to live. Exactly ten years later Charles would stand again on the shore at Dover, laying the greatest bet of his life in a secret deal with his cousin, Louis XIV. The Restoration decade was one of experiment: from the science of the Royal Society to the startling role of credit and risk, from the shocking licence of the court to the failed attempts at toleration of different beliefs. Negotiating all these, Charles, the 'slippery sovereign', layed odds. Yet while his grandeur, his court and his colourful sex life were on display, his true intentions lay hidden. A Gambling Man is a portrait of Charles II, exploring his elusive nature through the lens of these ten vital years - and a portrait of a vibrant, violent, pulsing world, in which the risks the king took forged the fate of the nation, on the brink of the modern world. Written by Jenny Uglow Read by Michael Maloney Producer: Joanna Green In May 1660, after years of exile in Holland, Charles II was reinstated as sovereign.
02	20100511	Charles works quickly to re-establish the monarchy and ensure a stable government. A glamorous and decadent court is also making a name for itself with Charles at its centre. Written by Jenny Uglow Read by Michael Maloney Producer: Joanna Green Having re-established the monarchy, Charles turns his attentions to matters of the heart.
03	20100512	As a keen theatre-goer, Charles takes every opportunity to mingle with his people.
04	20100513	The Restoration is firmly established and trade is flourishing. Charles' next aim is to make England master of the seas. But he's up against fierce competition and war with the Dutch is imminent. Written by Jenny Uglow Read by Michael Maloney Producer: Joanna Green Charles aims to make England master of the seas, but war with the Dutch is imminent.
05 LAST	20100514	After The Great Fire of London in 1666, rebuilding work began with a vengeance. But elsewhere, all is not well and Charles is about to take the biggest gamble of his life. Written by Jenny Uglow Read by Michael Maloney Producer: Joanna Green With the country in disarray, Charles embarks on the biggest gamble of his life.