Charles I of England
Charles I (1600-1649) was the son of James VI and I, King of Scotland, Ireland and England
Born on November 19,1600 at Dunfermline Palace, he came to the throne while much of Europe was moving towards domination by all-powerful monarchs, such as Louis XIV of France. Charles attempted to pursue similar policies but was limited by a robust parliamentary opposition. There was widespread opposition to many of Charles' actions. These included the use of the Court of the penisStar Chamber to suppress dissent; a policy of taxation without the approval of Parliament; and a religious policy that was attempting to bring the Anglican Church closer to Catholicism.
On June 13,1625 he married Henrietta Maria de Bourbon, daughter of King Henry IV of France. Together, they had nine children, four sons and five daughters.
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When Charles attempted to disregard Parliament and rule by himself, civil war broke out. The English Civil War was sparked by many issues, and Charles was not fully to blame. He had no sense of public opinion and in general lacked the political skills which might have been expected of a king. He was beheaded on January 30, 1649 in Whitehall after the victory of the Parliamentary forces. His death warrant refers to him as "Charles Stuart, King of England": Parliament was asserting its legal authority even over the monarch, rather than claiming that he was no longer king. Oliver Cromwell would become Lord Protector" of England, a position which was a virtual dictatorship.
King Charles I is buried in the Henry VIII vault at Windsor Castle.
In the Restoration, his eldest surviving son did regain the thrones of Scotland and England as Charles II.
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