biography
| name: |
Charles I (of England)
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1600–49)
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| biography:
| King of Britain and Ireland (1625–49), born in Dunfermline, Fife, E Scotland, UK, the second son of James I. He failed in his bid to marry the infanta Maria of Spain (1623), marrying instead the French princess, Henrietta Maria, and thus disturbing the nation, for the marriage articles permitted her the free exercise of the Catholic religion. Three parliaments were summoned and dissolved in the first four years of his reign; then for 11 years he ruled without one, using instead judges and prerogative courts. He warred with France (1627–9), and in 1630 made peace with Spain, but his continuing need for money led to unpopular economic policies. His attempt to anglicize the Scottish Church brought active resistance (1639), and he then called a parliament (1640). In 1642, having alienated much of the realm, he entered into the Civil War, which saw the annihilation of his cause at Naseby (14 Jun 1645), and his surrender to the Scots at Newark (1646). After many negotiations, during which his attempts at duplicity exasperated opponents, and a second Civil War (1646–8), he came to trial at Westminster, where his dignified refusal to plead was interpreted as a confession of guilt. He was beheaded at Whitehall (30 Jan 1649). |
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