Books
30 Best Novels About the Restoration
Bestselling authors first, then star rating.
Phase
Restoration
1660–1685 CE
The Restoration began in 1660 when Charles II returned from exile and the monarchy was restored. It brought back the royal court, bishops, theatres and much of the old political order, though the memory of civil war remained. The restored regime had to manage former royalists, republicans, religious dissenters and a changing London.
It mattered because monarchy returned but could not entirely return to its pre-war form. Questions about religious toleration, succession, Parliament and royal finance persisted. The Restoration also produced a distinctive culture of theatre, science, wit, sexuality and political intrigue.
Restoration fiction includes Rose Tremain’s Restoration, Iain Pears’s An Instance of the Fingerpost, Andrew Taylor’s Marwood and Lovett novels and Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle. It suits novels about returning exiles, court physicians, actresses, scientists, informers, old soldiers and families hiding Civil War secrets.
Related people for Restoration
Catherine of Braganza1638–1705 Charles II of England1630–1685 Charles I of England1600–1649 Henrietta Anne Stuart1644–1670 Henry Wilmot, 1st Earl of Rochester1612–1658 James VI and I1566–1625 Jane Lane, Lady Fisher1626–1689 John Tradescant the Younger1608–1662 Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth1649–1734 Louis XIV1638–1715 Nell Gwyn1650–1687 Oliver Cromwell1599–1658 Richard Cromwell1626–1712 Robert Clive1725–1774
Non Fiction
6 Non-Fiction Books About the Restoration
Histories, biographies and reference works are listed separately from the historical novels above.
