Thread by @jimstinson

(THREAD) It's going to be King Charles III, the UK PM says. In 1952, Queen Elizabeth kept her name, which was a gamble. The first Elizabeth is England's greatest monarch. #ElizabethII (1)

But suffice it to say, Elizabeth II is possibly the UK's second-greatest monarch. Greater than Henry VIII. Greater than George IV, the king who erred in not letting America go, but then oversaw ending slavery and defeating Napoleon. QEII was a lot like Victoria, a modernist. (2)

But choosing Charles as a royal name? I wouldn't want to do it. The first King Charles I was beheaded by dictator Oliver Cromwell and the "Rump Parliament," the English legislature that was left after Cromwell's allies killed sympathizers. (3)

The execution of King Charles I was not because of religion. Not entirely. But Cromwell disliked Catholics and he suspected Charles was seeking aid from RC rulers in other nations in the Second Civil War. Charles I was killed in 1649. (4)

Cromwell then took over. He and the Parliament eliminated the monarchy. Charles II, the son, fled to Europe. English leaders were conflicted. (5)

The best movie you may not have seen is "Cromwell," 1970. Richard Harris as Cromwell. A young Tim Daly as the Prussian nephew of Charles I. Alec Guinness is great as Charles I, who had a stammer. (6)

imdb.com/title/tt006559…

Charles II was also a Protestant and was not opposed to be king. (Mary was the last Catholic monarch.) The English restored the monarchy and make Charles II the king in 1660. (7)

Charles II impregnated a lot of his mistresses. But he left no heir. That would be a problem. Charles II ruled until 1685. His brother, James II, took over. King James II was Catholic. The Church of England was run by the king. This was a big problem. (8)

My favorite Restoration movie or TV series is "The Last King" (2003), which is an odd title. It stars @FredrikSewell as Charles II. (9)