Charles II was king of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1660 until his death in 1685. Following the execution of his father, Charles I of England, for treason during the English Civil War, the English monarchy was abolished, and Charles II was forced into exile in continental Europe. He was only able to return when the death of Oliver Cromwell, the military dictator who had ruled England since his father's overthrow, plunged the country into political chaos and allowed Charles to claim the throne in 1660.