Charles I (1625-1649)

In 1625 Charles ascended the throne and became King Charles I. He was the second son of James I and Anne of Denmark. Charles had the same problems with parliament as his father had. There was a constant struggle for power between the monarchy and parliament. During Charles’ reign a civil war broke out between the supporters of the king (and the monarchy) and the supporters of parliament. The Roundheads, the name given to the supporters of parliament, were led by Oliver Cromwell.

In 1648 Charles I was accused of treason and he was arrested. In 1649 he was executed. He “became the first monarch in Europe to be executed after a formal trial for crimes against his people.”¹