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King of Scotland
Charles was crowned King of Scotland at Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh. -
Parliament Recalled
Charles needed money to finance the war with France and Spain and reluctantly recalled Parliament. -
King Charles Marries
King Charles I married Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV of France at St Augustine's Church, Canterbury, Kent. The marriage was not popular because she was a Catholic. -
Parliament Dismissed
Parliament were unhappy with the activities of Charles' chief minister, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham had led a failed mission to Cadiz and it appeared that he was planning to help the French to put down the Protestant Huguenot uprising. Parliament moved to have Buckingham dismissed from office. Charles retaliated by dismissing parliament. -
Thirty-Nine Articles
Charles re-issued the Thirty Nine Articles into the Church of England. This was seen as a move towards Rome and evidence of the King's Catholic leanings. -
Petition of Right
Parliament formed a committee of grievances and prepared a Petition of Right which was presented to the King. The Petition was designed to protect subjects from any further taxation unauthorised by Parliament. Charles signed the document reluctantly. -
Buckingham Assassinated
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, was stabbed to death by naval lieutenant John Felton. -
MPs Arrested
Charles arrested nine members of the Commons for offences against the state. Three were imprisoned. This action by the King made him more unpopular. The King, defended his action by stating his belief in his own divine right saying that 'Princes are not bound to give account of their actions, but to God alone.' -
National Covenant and Book of Common Prayer
Charles demanded that the Book of Common Prayer be used in the Scottish Kirk. The Calvinist-dominated Scottish church resisted the move. There were riots and a National Covenant was formed which protested against any religious interference in Scotland by England. The Scottish Kirk was so incensed that it expelled the Bishops installed in Scotland by James I. -
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was elected to Parliament for the second time. He openly criticised Charles taxes and the level of corruption in the Church of England. -
Scotland
Oliver Cromwell was elected to Parliament for the second time. He openly criticised Charles taxes and the level of corruption in the Church of England. -
Small Battles
The Royalists led by Prince Rupert managed to surprise and capture Brentford. However, the following day Rupert was surprised to find his route to the city of London barred at Turnham Green by Essex and an army of some 24,000. The Royalist commander decided to retire rather than fight. -
Royalist Victories
The Royalists had victories over Parliament at Braddock Down and Nantwich -
Charles Escaped
Charles I escaped imprisonment and fled to Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight -
Charles Recaptured
Charles was recaptured and sent to Windsor Castle -
Trial of King Charles began
King Charles was tried for treason by a High Court of Justice specially set up for the trial. The court found Charles guilty and sentenced him to death. -
Execution
King Charles I was executed by beheading, outside Whitehall Palace, London. He was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor.