The English general and statesman George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle (1608-1670), was instrumental in the restoration of Charles II to the English throne in 1660.

George Monck, or Monk, who was born on Dec. 6, 1608, of an old Devonshire family of modest means, chose the vocation of soldier while only 17. He served with English expeditions to the Continent, and later with Dutch forces--a not uncommon practice for a soldier of fortune in those days. Subsequently, he commanded his own regiment in Ireland after the rebellion began there in 1641 against the English. He was captured by the parliamentary forces and imprisoned for 2 years in England, but because of his reputation as an excellent soldier, little concerned with politics, he was released and accepted command under the Puritan regime. Still later, after Oliver Cromwell defeated the Scots, Cromwell appointed Monck commander in chief of English forces in Scotland.

Soon afterward, Monck...