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.
studio of Isaac Oliver
watercolour on vellum, circa 1616, based on a work of circa 1616
NPG 3064
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, circa 1616
NPG 1112
by Gerrit van Honthorst
oil on canvas, 1628
NPG 4444
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, 1630s
NPG 4516
possibly after Hubert Le Sueur
bronze bust, based on a work of circa 1635
NPG 297
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
oil on canvas, based on a work of 1635-1636
On display at Banqueting House, London
NPG 843
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
oil on canvas, based on a work of 1635-1637
On display at Kensington Palace, London
NPG 2137
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
oil on canvas, based on a work of 1635-1637
NPG 1906
by David Des Granges, after John Hoskins
watercolour on vellum, based on a work of circa 1645
NPG 1924
King Charles I; Sir Edward Walker
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, circa 1650
NPG 1961
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, late 17th century or early 18th century
NPG 4836
by Sir Henry Halford, 1st Bt
pencil, 1813
NPG 2189a
'The Kings and Queens of England: From the Conquest to Queen Victoria'
by Henry Hering
albumen carte-de-visite photomontage, 1862
NPG Ax131392
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D25731
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D25733
King Charles I when Prince of Wales
by Francis Delaram
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D25735
King Charles I when Prince of Wales
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D25736
King Charles I when Prince of Wales
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D25740
by Pieter de Jode I, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D26302
by William Marshall
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D26319
by George Glover
line engraving, early to mid 17th century
NPG D26359
King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26365
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26366
The Martyrdom of King Charles I
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26373
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26384
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26386
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D18224
by Unknown artist
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D18281
published by Franciscus van Hoeye (Hoeius, Hoejus), after Daniel Mytens
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D18306
King Charles I when Prince of Wales
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D18308
by Simon de Passe
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D18309
King Charles I when Prince of Wales
by Unknown artist
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D18310
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26337
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26341
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26342
probably after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26349
The Execution of King Charles I
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26372
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26385
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.