Charles I

Charles I (1600 - 1649) was king of England and Scotland from 1625 until his execution on 31 January 1649. The second son of James VI and I, he became heir apparent on the death of his older brother Henry, and had, with James's favourite, George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, effectively taken over the government before the death of his father. His strong views on the royal prerogative, his views on religion, and his attempts to raise money without parliament led towards the English Civil War in which he was defeated. Condemned in a show trial, he was executed in front of Whitehall palace.

Charles, who inspired much (though not uncritical) loyalty in his lifetime, is still a controversial figure. Some see him as a martyr for the cause of the Church of England and monarchy, others as an obstinate man who did not keep his word.