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King Charles I

(1600-1649), Reigned 1625-49

Sitter associated with 335 portraits
The younger, surviving son of James I and Anne of Denmark, Charles became heir to the throne on the death of his brother Henry in 1612. Charles inherited his father's belief in the 'Divine Right of Kings' and became the greatest of all British royal art patrons and collectors. His dismissal of Parliament and personal rule, however, along with his imposition of taxes and attempts to impose religious uniformity led eventually to civil war. He was defeated and tried on the charge that he 'traitorously and maliciously levied war against the present Parliament and the people therein represented', and he was executed outside the Banqueting House, Whitehall, on 30 January 1649.

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King Charles I, sold by John Sudbury, sold by  George Humble - NPG D18283

King Charles I

sold by John Sudbury, sold by George Humble
line engraving, (1613)
NPG D18283

King Charles I, by Francis Delaram - NPG D10620

King Charles I

by Francis Delaram
line engraving, published 1616
NPG D10620

King Charles I, by Francis Delaram - NPG D10621

King Charles I

by Francis Delaram
line engraving, published 1616
NPG D10621

King Charles I, by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), after  Unknown artist - NPG D9248

King Charles I

by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), after Unknown artist
line engraving, (1618)
NPG D9248

King Charles I, after Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke) - NPG D18282

King Charles I

after Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, (1618)
NPG D18282

King Charles I, after Daniel Mytens - NPG D18307

King Charles I

after Daniel Mytens
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D18307

King Charles I, by Michael Hayee, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D19852

King Charles I

by Michael Hayee, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, (circa 1625-1650)
NPG D19852

King Charles I, by Hendrik Hondius (Hond) - NPG D26297

King Charles I

by Hendrik Hondius (Hond)
line engraving, 1626
NPG D26297

King Charles I, after Unknown artist - NPG D21344

King Charles I

after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1627
NPG D21344

King Charles I, by Willem Jacobsz Delff, after  Daniel Mytens - NPG D26299

King Charles I

by Willem Jacobsz Delff, after Daniel Mytens
line engraving, 1628
NPG D26299

King Charles I, by Johannes Meyssens, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D26304

King Charles I

by Johannes Meyssens, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26304

King Charles I, by Wenceslaus Hollar - NPG D26307

King Charles I

by Wenceslaus Hollar
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D26307

King Charles I, by Wenceslaus Hollar - NPG D26309

King Charles I

by Wenceslaus Hollar
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D26309

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Laurie Pettitt

03 March 2017, 22:12

The trial of Charles I was unique. There was not the mechanism to try a King.
The High Court of Justice was formed and procedures set up to deal openly with the King.
He refused to plead. But Parliament did not use 'Pressing' (A door is placed on top of the prisoner and weights applied until he either pleads or expires)
Imagine if a Motor car had appeared in the streets of 17th Century London. In order to stop it causing mayhem, it would be necessary to make laws, hitherto unknown to safeguard the Public.
Charles was one of the men who thought they could treat Cromwell as a cuckold.
My summing up is 'A silly little man. With a silly little shrew of a Queen and a silly little Bishop. What made him silly? Signing the death warrant on Strafford. He woulod have saved us a lot of pain and blood if he had shared the block with Strafford.