TRIAL OF KING CHARLES

FACTS:

 Simply put

The trial of Charles I lasted for 7 days, from January 20th to 27th.

Charles was in court for the first 3 days and the last day.

On days 4, 5 + 6 the court met without him and heard evidence against Charles.

The President of the court was judge Bradshaw

There were three main points against him:

1.      He started the war against Parliament.

2.      A soldier who changed sides during the war (from Charles to Parliament) heard the King say that he didn’t care how the Parliamentarian prisoners were treated.

3.      He plotted with Scotland and his son to raise an army to invade England while he was discussing peace with Parliament.

He was executed on January 30th 1649.

 

CHARACTERS:

CHARLES I – Charles is brought to court for the first three days. When asked how he pleads he says that the court has no power to put him on trial and refuses to answer.

Charles returns to court on the last day of the trial and asks to have peace talks with Parliament. This is refused. He also asks to make a statement to the court. This is also refused.

JUDGE BRADSHAW (PRESIDENT OF THE COURT)

On the first three days Bradshaw asks the King to plead guilty or not guilty to the charge of treason.

He listens to the evidence of the witnesses.

He passes sentence on Charles, saying that he is guilty of treason and shall have his head cut off.

 

WITNESSES

Say that they saw Charles raise his standard in 1642 that starts the war.

A soldier says how Charles did not care what happened to prisoners and said that they were his enemies.

A servant woman says that Charles asked her to deliver a letter in secret. She says that she gave it to her husband who passed it to Parliament. She produces the letter.

 

CLERK TO THE COURT

Calls the court to order.

On first three days calls Charles into court.

Calls the witnesses into court.

 

EXECUTIONER

Cuts off Charles’ head at 2pm on January 30th 1649.

 

Charles was executed on a Tuesday. It was a cold day. Charles was allowed to go for a last walk in St James’s park with his pet dog. His last meal was bread and wine. However, there was a delay in his execution.

The man who was to execute Charles refused to do it. So did others. Very quickly, another man and his assistant was found. They were paid £100 and were allowed to wear masks so that no-one would ever know who they were.

At nearly 2.00 o’clock in the afternoon, Charles was lead to the scaffold which was covered in black cloth. He had asked 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:

"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."

"I have a good cause, and a gracious God on my side...I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown; where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the world."

 

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