As some may remember, an event called Restoration 360 was all set to take place in London on 29^th May 2020. This would have been a little but lively history conference with two main aims. The first was to raise important money for mental-health charity Mind. The second was to mark the 360^th anniversary of the birth of the Restoration era, that time when a republican England went full circle and welcomed back a king.

A return to the old days? Yes and no. The pleasure-seeking King Charles II helped fuel society’s urge to move onwards and upwards after civil wars and Puritan rule, and the era developed a character of its own as it progressed through its many highs and lows.

Covering such an eventful period, Restoration 360 had lined up a variety of talks with expert speakers. Due to the tragic Covid-19 pandemic though, everything was cancelled and rightly so. But, just like the Merry Monarch in 1660, it came back with a difference!

From the 360^th anniversary of Charles II’s coronation 23^rd April 2021 (inclusive) to the 361^st Oak Apple Day 29^th May 2021 (exclusive), Restoration 360 Online was 36 days of Restoration history, through the wonders of modern technology. Alongside themed posts on social media, the focus was a series of weekend talks by most of the passionate and knowledgeable speakers booked for the original event, and the topics were still as rich and wide-ranging:

‘Providence and Power: Why was the Monarchy Restored in 1660?’ with Dr Jonathan Healey

‘Plague and Hellfire’ with Rebecca Rideal

BONUS TALK: ‘Rebellion before Restoration’ with Mark Turnbull

‘Pepys and the Navy of Charles II’ with Dr J. D. Davies

‘Making Fiction from Fact: Novelising Childbirth in the Restoration’ with Dr Sara Read

‘Sex, Love, & Scandal in Restoration Britain’ with Andrea Zuvich (not suitable for under-16s)

Links to recordings of the talks can be found in the email receipt automatically sent to donors.

We thank you sincerely for sponsoring our efforts and hope you enjoy our talks.

#Restoration360Online

@RestorationHat

https://www.facebook.com/Restoration360forMind