The document provides arguments both for and against keeping Charles I alive after the English Civil War. Those for keeping him alive argue that it was illegal to put the king on trial for treason against himself as he was the ruler. However, those against keeping him alive note that Charles secretly tried to raise a Scottish army again after defeat, showing he could not be trusted. Witnesses provided evidence that Charles started the war and mistreated prisoners. He was ultimately found guilty of tyranny, treason, and murder by the court and executed by beheading on January 30th, 1649.

2. The arguments FOR keeping Charles 1
alive!

3. - The King was brought to trial for TREASON.
Treason is an action against the rulers of the country.
The King was the ruler of England! How could he be
tried for treason against himself?
- The courts of England were the Kings’ court and
under his authority – so was trialling him legal? The
KING THOUGHT NOT SO.
King Charles did not plead guilty or not guilty at trial
because he said the trial was not lawful.

4. Charles said at trial;
“I wish to know by what power I am brought here
– I would like to know by what lawful authority.
Remember I am your King, your lawful King…. I
say think well upon it… I have a trust committed
to me by God, by old and lawful descent. I will not
betray it to a new and unlawful authority.”
Charles said before he died;
“ I want the people’s freedom as much as anyone,
but I must tell you that freedom means having a
government and laws…. It does not mean the
people having a share in Government.”

5. A supporter of the King;
Loyal to the King throughout the war. He believes that
Charles was driven to war by Parliament’s unreasonable
demands. He believes Parliament was acting on its own
self-interest, not the best interest in England.
“Parliament was responsible for starting the war by taking
control of the army on 22nd March 1642. The King raised his
standard (his army’s flag) defending England’s best
interests.”
Merchant from Dorset;
A merchant from Dorset who set up a militia (small armed
force) to keep both armies’ soldiers out of the county. His
trade depends on keeping Dorset peaceful.
“The civil war was about a feud between the King and
Parliament; it’s not about the majority of people In England.
England needs a King and Parliament to work together.”

6. Royalist army officer;
He said that Parliament’s army committed dreadful actions.
For example, after Parliaments victory at Montrose all the
surviving prisoners were executed.
“Charles was very generous and kind, and had a reputation
for this before and during the war. Charles never ordered
any dreadful acts.”
A clergymen ( a priest) ;
“Parliament has no right to sit a court to charge Charles.
Only God can judge a King, because only God can choose a
King. Parliament should abandon this trial.”

7. The arguments AGAINST the King!
These people thought the King should
be trialled and executed!

8. Following the original defeat of Charles,
Charles was talking with Parliament about
peace whilst secretly persuading the
Scottish to invade England. This started a
short second civil war, where the
Royalists were defeated again. Parliament
could not trust the King!
It was decided he must be put on trial for
treason. Treason is an action against the
rulers of the country.

9. A Parliament MP:
He believed that the war was Charles’ fault. He was there when Charles came
to parliament to arrest the 5 MP’s in 1642.
“Charles had ignored Parliament and their rights, thinking he could get his
way by violence or force.”
He also believes Charles started the War. He was in Nottingham on 22nd
August 1642, when Charles set up his standard (his army flag) and so
declared that he was going to fight Parliaments army.
He heard Charles call on all loyal Englishmen to join his army and fight
Parliament to restore him to power.
A servant for the King:
A servant to the King when he was at Carisbrooke Castle talking about peace
with Parliament.
He was caught carrying letters that Charles had written to the Scottish rebels
in January 1648. These letters asked for the Scots to raise an army to fight
Parliament and put the King back in power.
Despite being loyal to the King, he admits to this during his trial as it means
he may get away with the crime.

10. A merchant from Dorset:
During the Civil War you organised a militia (fighting force) to
keep both armies out of your county. Trade would be effected
by a war, so wants to keep the county peaceful.
“The civil war was about a feud between the King and
Parliament; it’s not about the majority of people In England.
England needs a King and Parliament to work together.”
A soldier:
A soldier who changed sides from cavaliers to the Roundheads
during the war.
He changed sides mainly because he believed Charles’ army
was guilty of horrible actions. Charles’ soldiers burnt down
villages and towns, and murdered innocent people.
Prisoners (captured enemy soldiers) were tortured.
“I heard Charles once ordered an officer to keep beating a
prisoner, because he didn’t care about the man as he was an
enemy.”

11. During the trial, one of the charges said:
“Charles Stuart, King of England, trusted to govern
according to the laws of the land, had a wicked design to
create for himself an unlimited power to rule according to
his will and to overthrow the rights and liberties of the
people. To do this he treacherously waged a war against
Parliament and the people. He is thus responsible for all the
treasons, murders, burning, damage and desolation caused
during the wars. He is therefore a TYRANT, TRAITOR and
MURDERER.”
Parliament said in 1649:
“A king is unnecessary. It is dangerous to the freedom and
safety of the people. The king has attacked his people and
made them poor. No single person shall have the power, or
title of King.”

13. The First day: 20 January 1649
Charles entered Westminster Hall dressed entirely in black. An account of the
trial said that he looked very tired, and looked like he had suffered by fighting
hard during the war.
At one end of the hall were the benches for the judges, with the president
raised in the middle. Down either side of the hall were lines of soldiers. Charles
stood opposite the judges. Spectators were on higher levels watching the trial.
First, the charges against Charles were read out.
‘Charles, trusted with a limited power to govern according to the laws of the
land and to use the power of good of the people, has:
Overthrown the rights and liberties of the people
Taken away the power of Parliament
Levied war against Parliament and the people. Charles Stuart was guilty of all
treasons, murders, burnings, damages and mischiefs to this nation committed in
the wars.
Charles was then asked to say whether he pleaded innocent or guilty to these
charges. He refused to do this. Instead, he said that the court had no legal right
to try him. Remember that all courts were meant to be the King’s courts and
under his authority.

14. The second day: Monday 22 January
The second day of the trial started in the
same way as the first day ended, with the
court trying to get Charles to plead. A
conversation then took place between
Charles and Bradshaw, the President of the
court. In the conversation, the King told
Bradshaw that Parliament never had the right
to call a trial, and when asked if he pleaded
guilty, Charles questioned Bradshaw’s
authority.
The spectators erupted in uproar as Charles
was taken away.

15. The third day: Tuesday 23rd January. Charles was taken away after a few minutes.
Witnesses are heard: 24th-27th January
The judges met without Charles. They were worried because things were not going as
they had planned. Some of the judges were having doubts about the whole thing! To
stiffen their determination it was decided to hear all the evidence against Charles now.
He would not be allowed to be present. Evidence against Charles which has been
collected from around the country was read out. There were still less than half the
Commissioners there.
Here are the main points against Charles:
Charles was accused of starting the war. Witnesses described that he raised the
standard in August 1642.
A soldier who had changed sides, claimed Charles was mistreating prisoners.
Evidence was given about Charles’ secret discussions through letters.

16. Verdict and Sentence: Saturday 27th January
Charles was brought before the judges again.
Charles was promised that he could make a speech before
the verdict was read out. First, he asked to talk to the house
of commons (Parliament) and House of Lords because he
had a plan for peace. This was refused.
Charles tried to make a statement but Bradshaw would not
allow him.
Bradshaw claimed Charles was guilty because he did not call
Parliaments regularly. Charles had attacked the basic
liberties of everybody.
‘This court has does judge that Charles Stuart, a tyrant,
traitor, murderer and public enemy of the people, shall be
put to death by the severing of his head from his body.’
The execution was scheduled for 30th January. Only 59 of
132 judges signed the warrant for the execution!

17. EXECUTION: TUESDAY 30TH JANUARY
Charles was awake early. He asked for two shirts, as it was cold
and he did not want to shiver which would make him look
scared. He went to Whitehall where he ate a piece of bread
and drank some wine and then prayed. At two o’clock he
stepped onto the scaffold (a stage where the execution took
place).
A witness’s diary entry said: ‘ I saw the blow given, I can truly
say, with a sad heart. At that instant, I remember well, there
was such a groan by the thousands then present….
Afterwards, devoted followers of the King and souvenir hunters
rushed to dip handkerchiefs in blood and to take hairs from his
head and beard.’