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.

Legacy

With the monarchy overthrown, power was assumed by the military dictator Oliver Cromwell. The Long Parliament (known by then as the Rump Parliament) which had been called by Charles I in 1640 continued to exist until Cromwell forcibly disbanded it in 1653. Cromwell then became a "Lord Protector"—a monarch in all but name: he was even "invested" on the royal coronation chair. Upon his death in 1658, Cromwell was briefly succeeded by his son, Richard Cromwell. Richard Cromwell was an ineffective ruler, and the Long Parliament was reinstated in 1659. The Long Parliament dissolved itself in 1660, and the first elections in twenty years led to the election of a Convention Parliament which restored Charles I's eldest son to the monarchy as Charles II.

Related Topics:
Rump Parliament - 1640 - 1653 - Lord Protector - 1658 - Richard Cromwell - 1659 - 1660 - Convention Parliament - Charles II

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Upon the Restoration, Charles II added a commemoration of his father—to be observed on 30 January, the date of the execution—to the Book of Common Prayer. In the time of Queen Victoria this was however removed at the instigation of political leaders less in tune with the idea of a martyr King being commemorated; now, 30 January is only listed as a "Lesser Festival." There are several Anglican/Episcopal churches dedicated to Charles I as "King and Martyr," in England, Canada, Australia and the United States. The Society of King Charles the Martyr was established in 1894 by the Honourable Mrs Greville-Negent, assisted by Fr. James Fish, rector of St Margaret Pattens, London. The objectives of the SKCM include prayer for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, promoting a wider observance of 30 January in commemoration of King Charles' martyrdom, and the reinstatement of his feast day in the Book of Common Prayer. King Charles is regarded as a martyr for the concept of Christian Kingship, and as a defender of the Anglican church.

Related Topics:
30 January - Victoria - England - Canada - Australia - United States - Society of King Charles the Martyr - 1894 - St Margaret Pattens - Book of Common Prayer - Martyr - Kingship - Anglican

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The Colony of Carolina in North America was named for Charles I. Carolina later separated into North Carolina and South Carolina, which eventually became parts of the United States. To the north in the Virginia Colony, Cape Charles, the Charles River, Charles River Shire and Charles City Shire were named for him. Charles City Shire survives almost 400 years later as Charles City County, Virginia.

Related Topics:
Colony of Carolina - North America - North Carolina - South Carolina - United States - Virginia Colony - Cape Charles - Charles River - Charles River Shire - Charles City Shire - Charles City County, Virginia

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