This Day in History: 30 January 2020
30 January 1649
371 years ago, today, King Charles I died, executed for treason, in London. In 1625, he ascended to the throne after his father, James I, died, and in the first year of his reign, Charles had already offended his subjects. He did this as he married Henrietta Maria, a Catholic French princess, which his Protestant subjects did not approve of. In response to his political opposition, Parliament was dissolved on many occasions, and in 1629, Charles decided to rule completely without the help of Parliament. As a result, the first English Civil War broke out in 1642, in a power struggle between the King and Parliament.
On the side of the Parliamentarians, led by Oliver Cromwell, the Ironsides proved a formidable force as they achieved victory against the Royalist forces. In the Second English Civil War, Cromwell led the New Model Army, and helped end the Royalist invasion of Scotland, causing Charles to surrender to the Scottish army in 1646. Afterwards, he appeared in high court before his enemies, with a conviction of treason, and was sentenced to death, and earlier in the next year, he was beheaded. The monarchy was then abolished, and Cromwell led the new English Commonwealth, however, Cromwell died in 1658. The monarchy was then restored under Charles II, the son of Charles I.
Want to find out more about the life and death of King Charles I? Click here for more information.
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