England and Wales. Sovereign (1660-1685 : Charles II)

King Charles II of England (1630-1685) did not have any official heirs. He did, though, have many children by a number of mistresses. Historians believe the number of children is somewhere between 10 and fifteen. The use of 'armes' or titles of nobility and the privileges that came with it was one way the King acknowledged that these were his children. The most children attributed to a relationship is that between King Charles and Barbara née Villiers (1641–1709), the Duchess of Cleveland, five, all of whom are named in this collection.

From the guide to the Royal Warrants Pertaining to the Children of King Charles II of England, 1672-1675, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)