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 Bealing & Son, after Unknown artist
albumen print, circa 1912 (1630s-1640s)
NPG D31975
published by John Player & Sons, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935
NPG D48139
King Charles I when Prince of Wales
after Unknown artist
line engraving
NPG D25737
King Charles I when Prince of Wales
after Unknown artist
line engraving
NPG D25738
King Charles I when Prince of Wales
after Unknown artist
line engraving
NPG D25739
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
albumen print, 1850s-1860s (circa 1635-1637)
NPG Ax129156
'James I and his royal progeny'
by Willem de Passe, published by John Bill, sold by Thomas Jenner
line engraving, circa 1625-1637
NPG D19378
by John Faber Jr, printed and sold by Thomas Bowles Sr, after Edward Bower
mezzotint, early 18th century (1649)
NPG D19765
by and published by John Smith, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, 1718 (1636)
NPG D19262
by George Vertue, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
engraving, engraved 1735
NPG D19369
King Charles I when Prince of Wales
by Charles Turner, published by Samuel Woodburn, after Francis Delaram
mezzotint, 1813
NPG D20062
'James I and his royal progeny'
by Charles Turner, published by Samuel Woodburn, after Willem de Passe
mezzotint, published 1814
NPG D19477
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.