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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, studio of Isaac Oliver - NPG 3064

King Charles I

studio of Isaac Oliver
watercolour on vellum, circa 1616, based on a work of circa 1616
NPG 3064

King Charles I, by Daniel Mytens - NPG 1246

King Charles I

by Daniel Mytens
oil on canvas, 1631
On display in Room 4 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1246

King Charles I, possibly after Hubert Le Sueur - NPG 297

King Charles I

possibly after Hubert Le Sueur
bronze bust, based on a work of circa 1635
NPG 297

King Charles I, after Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG 843

King Charles I

after Sir Anthony van Dyck
oil on canvas, based on a work of 1635-1636
On display at Banqueting House, London
NPG 843

King Charles I, after Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG 2137

King Charles I

after Sir Anthony van Dyck
oil on canvas, based on a work of 1635-1637
On display at Kensington Palace, London
NPG 2137

King Charles I, after Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG 1906

King Charles I

after Sir Anthony van Dyck
oil on canvas, based on a work of 1635-1637
NPG 1906

King Charles I, by David Des Granges, after  John Hoskins - NPG 1924

King Charles I

by David Des Granges, after John Hoskins
watercolour on vellum, based on a work of circa 1645
NPG 1924

King Charles I, by Unknown artist - NPG 6357

King Charles I

by Unknown artist
oil on copper with 17 mica overlays, second half of 17th century
On display in Room 6 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 6357

King Charles I, by Unknown artist - NPG 4836

King Charles I

by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, late 17th century or early 18th century
NPG 4836

King Charles I, by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke) - NPG D25731

King Charles I

by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D25731

King Charles I, by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke) - NPG D25733

King Charles I

by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D25733

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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.