The new Carolean age ...what his time as our monarch will be called

THE Queen’s death marks the end of the second Elizabethan era and the start of the second Carolean age – the reign of King Charles III.

The Prime Minister told the Commons yesterday: ‘All of us in this House will support him as he takes our country forward to a new era of hope and progress. Our new Carolean age.’

Liz Truss chose her words carefully. The term Carolean comes from the Latin for Charles – Carolus. But there is an alternative term – ‘Caroline’ – which refers to the reign of King Charles I. The Caroline era, from 1625 to 1649, was marred by civil wars and ended with the execution of Charles I. For the next 11 years, the country was a republic under Oliver Cromwell.

When Charles II was restored to his father’s throne after years of the Commonwealth and the Protectorate, his rule became known as the Carolean age.

Charles II’s reign from 1660 to 1685 is associated with greater freedom and he was a much beloved king.