The Essential Watchlist Similar Cinematic Experiences to King Charles II: England's Merry Monarch: Cult Guide

The King Charles II: England's Merry Monarch Phenomenon

The legacy of King Charles II: England's Merry Monarch is built upon its ability to create a hauntingly beautiful cinematic landscape.

The picture opens with an introductory scene in which we first meet Clavering Maunsel, only son of Colonel Maunsel, at their home, "Ovingdean Grange." He is bidding his father good-bye, and riding forth to fight for the king. He takes a last farewell of his sweetheart. Dulcia Beard, the chaplain's daughter, and rides away. The preparations of the rival troops are then shown. Cromwell and the Roundheads take every precaution on the field, while in contrast we have a following scene, showing the Royalists toasting the king. Next follow a number of realistic scenes depicting the final sortie of the Battle of Worcester, in which the Royalists are defeated by the Roundheads, and King Charles is obliged to flee for his life. Clavering Maunsel is wounded and carried home to "Ovingdean Grange" by his faithful servant, John Habergeon. At the Grange an attempt is made by Captain Stelfax, at the head of the Roundhead troops, to make him prisoner. He escapes and succeeds in shooting both of the Roundhead riders. His horse is shot under him at the top of a sixty-foot embankment, and they roll, horse and man, from the top to the bottom. Clavering is now able to make off on foot. He has not gone far when he meets with a party of horsemen whom he recognizes as the king and his friends, Colonel Gunter and Lord Wilmot. The king is on his way to the coast, and readily agrees to Clavering's offer to take shelter at the Grange. They ride over the ancient bridge at Shoreham, and soon arrive at Ovingdean. Here the merry monarch, feeling secure from capture, charms the company with his joviality. Captain Stelfax has been on the watch, however, and having procured troops surrounds the house, and makes a sudden and unexpected entrance to the dining hall. He captures the king, and takes the entire company prisoners. We picture the famous escape from Ovingdean church, and how Clavering and the king succeeded in locking the church door with Stelfax and his men inside. Later we see the dramatic escape from the top of the cliff, when good Nick Tattersal lent his aid, and the king was safely rowed out to the schooner in waiting. A fine picture is presented of the schooner sailing to the friendly shores of France, while from the cliff top Stelfax gazes on the prize he has lost. We come to the restoration of the king in the year 1660. Clavering is still languishing in prison when Charles makes his triumphant procession from Dover to London. Colonel Maunsel and Dulcia join the cheering throng. The girl remembers the king's kindly manner in the days at Ovingdean, and implores him to release her lover, at which the throng cheers and cheers. A well-earned reward. In the palace at Whitehall, surrounded by his magnificent court, the king, in royal fashion, acknowledges his gratitude and unites the lovely Dulcia to her lover, now Sir Clavering Maunsel.