Why did the English Population welcome the reestablishment of the Stuart monarchy in 1660?

The English people were willing to accept the return of
Charles II as King because of the oppressive regime of Oliver Cromwell who ruled as Lord
Protector for eleven years following the execution of Charles I. Cromwell’s Puritan
ideals never left him. He never lost his rough edge and was stubbornly idealistic while
easily convincing himself that he was right and therefore should not compromise. He
imposed taxes without Parliamentary approval and dissolved Parliament when it disagreed
with him. He insisted that people should lead "godly" lives and accordingly ordered
theaters closed, forbade sports, and censored the press. When a rebellion broke out in
Ireland in 1649, Cromwell put it down with merciless savagery. The result of his
treatment of the Irish was a deep seated hatred by Irishmen of England and all things
English, a sentiment that still exists. As a result, the Puritan republic was every bit
as oppressive as the monarchy of the Stuarts. Cromwell was so unpopular that he began
wearing armor under his clothes and took circuitous routes throughout London to foil any
assassins who might be stalking him.

In 1657, a newly
elected Parliament produced a new constitution and offered Cromwell the throne. He
refused, perhaps because he believed God had spoken to him against the monarchy; but did
accept the terms of the "Humble Petition and Advice" by introducing a second house of
Parliament, designated the House of Lords, and by the terms of which he could name his
own successor. Cromwell demonstrated his gratitude by dissolving the Parliament. He died
one year later and was followed by his son, Richard Cromwell, as head of the republic.
The younger Cromwell was not the man his father was and served only a short
time.

The military government collapsed in 1658 when
Cromwell died. The English people were fed up with military rule, and wanted a
restoration of the common law and social stability. They were ready to restore the
monarchy and would not soon re-experiment with a republic. The heir presumptive, Charles
II, son of Charles I, was living in exile in Holland. However, his return was only
accomplished by military force when General George Monck, a former royalist officer with
troops still loyal to him, marched on London and dissolved Parliament. Charles issued a
conciliatory proclamation, and Parliament invited him to assume the throne. He was
crowned Charles II on April 23, 1661, eleven years after the execution of his
father.