After having fought in Ireland, Scotland and the First Anglo-Dutch War, George Monck was appointed Governor of Scotland by Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, Oliver Cromwell. Monck was part of Cromwell's Parliamentary government, which he also fought for. During this time, Monck secretly gave the exiled king advice on how to rule England, telling him to grant amnesty to the enemies of his father, in order to get them to accept him as their rightful ruler.
Cromwell had defeated and exiled King Charles II to the Dutch Republic. Seven years later, Cromwell died, leaving the Parliament's authority severely weakened and London in a state of confusion. On 1 January 1660, Monck led his army from Scotland to London, taking control of the capital.