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.
King Charles I in conversation with John Hotham at the Gates of Hull
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D26394
The Execution of King Charles I
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D26397
by John Faber Sr, sold by Bispham Dickinson, after Edward Bower
mezzotint, 1730s (1649)
NPG D7881
King Charles I; Pierre Antoine Bourdon, Seigneur de St Antoine
by and published by Joseph Sympson (Simpson), after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line and stipple engraving, 1731 (1633)
NPG D31971
by George Vertue, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, published 1732
NPG D21341
by George Vertue, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, published 1732
NPG D31963
by George Vertue, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, published 1732
NPG D31964
by George Vertue, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 1732
NPG D26295
by John Faber Sr, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, 1738
NPG D26301
King Charles I; Pierre Antoine Bourdon, Seigneur de St Antoine
by Bernard Baron, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 1741 (1633)
NPG D31973
King Charles I; Henrietta Maria; King Charles II; Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange
by Bernard Baron, published by John Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
etching and line engraving, 1741 (1632)
NPG D32111
King Charles I, Henrietta Maria, King Charles II; Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange
by Bernard Baron, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
etching and line engraving, 1741 (1632)
NPG D26449
by George Vertue
line engraving, 1745
NPG D26296
King Charles with two unknown attendants
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
etching and line engraving, (circa 1636)
NPG D31974
by George Vertue
line engraving, published 1757
NPG D26298
by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, published by John Boydell, and published by Josiah Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, late 18th century
NPG D31961
by Sir Robert Strange, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 1770 (1636)
NPG D31970
King Charles I; Pierre Antoine Bourdon, Seigneur de St Antoine
by Bernard Baron, published by John Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, published 1770
NPG D26306
after Samuel Woodforde
line engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D26374
by D.P. Pariset, published by T. Bradford
stipple engraving, published 20 June 1771
NPG D26377
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.