King Charles I
Person Male Born 19/11/1600 Died 30/1/1649
Born Fife. Ascended the throne 1625 on the death of his father James I. His wife, Henrietta Maria of France was Catholic, he was a High Anglican. Only 5 feet 4 inches tall, Charles was a firm believer in the divine right of kings and fell out with Parliament in a big way, mainly over money. This all led to the Civil War (1642 - 1646). Charles eventually surrendered and was tried for treason by a tribunal with 135 judges. He lost by one vote and was beheaded outside the Banqueting House in Whitehall.
21 of those held responsible for his death who had since died and been buried in Westminster Abbey were, on the restoration of his son, Charles II, to the monarchy, dug up and moved to an unmarked pit at nearby St Margarets.
See other memorials in this area
