The trial of King Charles I in 1649 is one of the most famous and controversial trials in Stuart England’s history. King Charles was put on trial on 1st January 1649 as he accused of being a traitor, tyrant and a murderer. Although he was supposed to be tried by 135 judges, only 68 judges turned up for his trial. This execution witnessed the rise to supreme power of Oliver Cromwell whose signatures were on the death warrant of King Charles. The only people who were allowed to go into the parliament were those who supported the trial of the king. This parliament was known as the “Rump Parliament” and out of the 46 supporters of Cromwell allowed to go in, only 26 people voted in support of the trial.
The Chief Judge and head of the High Court of Justice was Justice Bradshaw. He was actually a lawyer and not one of the 135 judges or the 68 judges that turned up for the trial and was asked to head the trial as none of the 68 judges wanted to do so. It was Bradshaw who read out the trial against King Charles that he "out of a wicked design to erect and uphold in himself an unlimited and tyrannical power to rule according to his will, and to overthrow the rights and liberties of the people of England." The hall where the king was tried was packed with soldiers to protect the judges and to make sure that the king did not escape. The public was not allowed into the hall until after the charge had been read out.
At the trial, Charles refused to defend himself and did not recognise the legality of the court. He also refused to take off his hat as a sign of respect to the judges who did attend. This seemed to confirm in the minds of the judges that Charles, even when he was on trial for his life, remained arrogant and therefore a danger to others as he could not recognise his own faults. Judge Bradshaw read out the charge against him, which read that the King was a tyrant and a traitor and was a public enemy and a threat to the nation. When the judgment of the court was announced, Charles started to defend himself but was told that his chance had gone. The king of England was bundled out of the
court by the soldiers and his execution was fixed for 30th January 1649.
King Charles was executed on a cold Tuesday. He was allowed to go for his last walk in St.James Park with his pet dog. There was however, a delay in his execution as the person who had to execute the king refused to do so. Then quickly another person and his assistant were found who were paid 100 pounds and were allowed to wear masks so that their identity would not be revealed. At nearly 2.00 o’clock in the afternoon, Charles was lead to the scaffold, which was covered, in black cloth. He had taken permission to wear thick underclothes under his shirt, as he was very concerned that if he shivered in the cold, the crowd might think that he was scared. Charles gave a last speech to the crowd but very few could hear him. He said that "I have delivered to my conscience; I pray God you do take those courses that are best for the good of the kingdom and your own salvation."
It is said that when he was beheaded a large groan went up throughout the crowd. Charles however, found no dignity even after his death as Spectators were allowed to go up to the scaffold and, after paying, dipping handkerchiefs in his blood, it was felt that the blood of a king when wiped onto a wound would cure that illness. In February 1649, monarchy was abolished in England and Cornwell was made the first chairman of the Council of State, which replaced the monarchy. However, monarchy was restored in England in 1660 with Charles II becoming the king. He ensured that all those who signed his father’s death warrant and were associated his death were tried if alive. The only people to escape were the executioners as no one knew who they were as they has worn masks during the execution.
|
