Charles I was born on November 19, 1600, in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland.
He was the second son of King James VI of Scotland (who later became James I of England) and Anne of Denmark.
Charles I became heir apparent after the death of his older brother Henry in 1612.
He ascended the throne in March 1625 after the death of his father.
Charles I was known for his love of art and is credited with amassing a fantastic collection of artworks, some of which now form part of the Royal Collection.
He was married to Henrietta Maria of France in 1625, and they had nine children together.
Charles I believed in the divine right of kings, which meant that he thought he was only answerable to God.
His reign was marked by conflicts with Parliament, which led to the English Civil War.
The Civil War began in 1642, primarily due to disputes over control of the military to suppress Irish uprisings.
Charles I was the first British king to be tried and executed by his own subjects.
He was executed on January 30, 1649, outside the Banqueting House in Whitehall, London.
After Charles I’s execution, England was declared a republic, known as the Commonwealth of England.
His execution had a profound effect on monarchies worldwide, as it was seen as a warning to absolute monarchs.
Charles I was canonized as a saint in the Church of England in the 1660s but was later removed from the calendar of saints.
The Royalist forces, who supported Charles I, were also known as the Cavaliers during the English Civil War.
Originally posted 2023-09-12 19:53:28.