What happened to Charles I?

Charles I became king in 1625 and, like his father James I, believed in the divine right of kings. He frequently clashed with Parliament over money and religion. In 1629, he dissolved Parliament and ruled alone for 11 years (known as the 'Personal Rule' or 'Eleven Years' Tyranny'). When he recalled Parliament in 1640, the conflicts escalated.

The English Civil War broke out in 1642 between the Royalists (Cavaliers), who supported the king, and the Parliamentarians (Roundheads), who supported Parliament. The war was fought across England, Scotland, and Wales. The Parliamentarians, led by Oliver Cromwell, eventually won. Charles I was tried for treason and executed in 1649 — the first time an English king had been publicly tried and executed.

The execution of Charles I was a momentous event. It established the principle that even a king could be held accountable for his actions. After the king's death, England became a republic known as the Commonwealth, with no monarch. This period lasted until 1660.