Document that made Charles II king to be auctioned for £600k

Signed copy of 1660 Declaration of Breda, which restored monarchy in Britain after Cromwell’s reign, goes on sale in May

A rare historic document signed by Charles II, which sealed the restoration of the monarchy in Britain, is expected to fetch £600,000 at auction, just days ahead of King Charles III’s coronation next month.

The Declaration of Breda, dated 4 April 1660, changed royal power forever and fundamentally helped to shape Britain’s constitution. It outlined the terms on which Charles II would return to Britain and take the throne, two years after the death of Oliver Cromwell. Charles II had been in exile since Cromwell seized power after the execution of his father, Charles I. The declaration, five copies of which were signed by Charles II, ensured the monarchy was restored without further civil war and marked the end of years of revolution.