By Pauline Gregg, University of California Press, 1984

"A fine book...so obviously the fruit of devoted labour...there is everything to enjoy in it."--The New York Times.

A sympathetic biography of the man who was right at the heart of all the struggles in the 17th century--and a thoroughly researched history that reads like the thriller it is. Written in a bold and evocative style, this engrossing volume weaves an extraordinary story of a sickly child who became a king, and lived surrounded by rumor and intrigue and notorious friendships. The infamous tragedy unfolds with such sparkling insights and poignancy you'll feel as if you were right there when the axe fell upon this unfortunate king.

Charles I (19 November 1600 – 30 January 1649) was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. He famously engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England. As he was an advocate of the Divine Right of Kings, many in England feared that he was attempting to gain absolute power. There was widespread opposition to many of his actions, especially the levying of taxes without Parliament's consent. 

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The last years of Charles' reign were marked by the English Civil War, in which he was opposed by the forces of Parliament—who challenged his attempts to augment his own power—and by Puritans, who were hostile to his religious policies and apparent Catholic sympathy. The war ended in defeat for Charles, who was subsequently tried, convicted and executed for high treason. The monarchy was overthrown, and a commonwealth was established. As time passed this regime became increasingly dependent upon the army and became in effect a military dictatorship. Various political as well as socio-economic factors led to its collapse. Charles' son, Charles II, returned to restore the monarchy in 1660.

Charles is also the only person to be canonized by the Church of England post English Reformation. (From Wikipedia)

References:

• Ellis's Historical Inquiries
• Gardiner, Samuel Rawson, ed. (1906). The Constitutional Documents of the Puritan Revolution 1625–1660, 3rd revised ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Williamson, D. (1998). The Kings and Queens of England. New York: National Portrait Gallery.
• Robertson, Geoffrey (2005). The Tyrannicide Brief: The Man Who Sent Charles I to the Scaffold. Chatto & Windus ISBN 0701176024

Useful links:

• Chronology Charles I World History Database
• The Royal Household. (2004). "Charles I." Official Web Site of the British Monarchy
• The Society of King Charles the Martyr

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