King Charles I
(1600-1649), Reigned 1625-49Sitter 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.
by Wenceslaus Hollar, sold by Peter Stent
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D26310
by Wenceslaus Hollar, sold by Peter Stent
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D26311
by Wenceslaus Hollar
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D26312
by Lucas Vorsterman
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D26320
by William Marshall
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26321
by William Marshall
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26322
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D26324
by William Faithorne
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D26325
King Charles I and Sir Edward Walker
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D26326
King Charles I and Sir Edward Walker
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D26327
by Cornelis Galle the Younger, after Nicolaus van der Horst
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26328
by Richard Gaywood
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D26329
by William Marshall
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26330
published by Peter Stent
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26332
published by Peter Stent
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26333
by Henry Cook (Cooke)
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D26336
The Statue of King Charles I at Charing Cross
by Wenceslaus Hollar, after Hubert Le Sueur
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D26343
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D26344
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D26345
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D26347
Related People
- Anne of Denmark (mother)
- Princess Anne (daughter)
- King Charles II (son)
- Prince Charles (son)
- Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (grandfather)
- Princess Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia and Electress Palatine (sister)
- Princess Elizabeth (daughter)
- Henrietta Anne, Duchess of Orleans (daughter)
- Henry, Prince of Wales (brother)
- Henry, Duke of Gloucester (son)
- Isabella Stuart (granddaughter)
- King James I of England and VI of Scotland (father)
- King James II (son)
- Prince James Francis Edward Stuart (grandson)
- Princess Louisa Maria Theresa Stuart (granddaughter)
- Henrietta Maria (wife)
- Mary, Queen of Scots (grandmother)
- Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange (daughter)
- Prince Rupert, Count Palatine (nephew)
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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.