Charles I of England

Charles I (19 November 1600–30 January 1649) was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 27 March 1625, until his death. He famously engaged in a struggle for power with Parliament; he was an advocate of the divine right of kings. Some in Parliament, however, 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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Charles also adopted a religious policy that continued the Anglican "middle path," and was actively hostile to the Reformist tendencies of many of his English and Scottish subjects. His policy was obnoxious to Calvinist theology, and insisted that the Church of England's liturgy be celebrated with all of the ceremony and vestments called for by the Book of Common Prayer. Many of his subjects thought these policies brought the Church of England too close to Roman Catholicism.

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The last years of Charles's reign were marked by the English Civil War; he was opposed by the forces of Parliament (which challenged his attempts to augment his own power) and by Puritans (who were hostile to his religious policies). The war ended in defeat for Charles, who was subsequently tried, convicted and executed for what was called high treason, though the trial did not conform to a regular judicial proceedings and the actual charges alleged were unknown to the law. The monarchy was overthrown, and a republic was established. As time passed this regime became increasingly dependent upon the army and became in effect a military dictatorship. Frustration with the puritanical excesses of the Protectorate and its military backers led to its collapse. Charles's son, Charles II, returned to restore the monarchy in 1660.

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19 November: REDIRECT November 19...

1600: :See also 1600 (number), 1600s...

30 January: REDIRECT January 30...

Charles I of England related Images and Photos (experimental)

Charles I of England in Armour	Charles I King of England 17th century	An Eyewitness Representation of the Execution of King Charles I (1600-49) of England 1649	Charles I Charles Mary James and a Large Dog
King Charles Ii of England's Last Sunday	James I of England James VI of Scotland in Armour and High Hat	A Portrait of James I of England and VI of Scotland	Francois I of France Meets Henry VIII of England
Charles II Lands at Dover and is Saluted as King of England by General Monk Who Kneels Before Him	Eleanor of Provence Queen of Henry III and Mother of Edward I of England	Views of England II	Bank of England Founded