Charles I of England

Reign: 1625 – 1649
Life: 1600–1649

Charles was born into the House of Stuart as the second son of King James VI of Scotland. After his father inherited the English throne in 1603, he moved to England, where he spent much of the rest of his life. An unsuccessful and unpopular attempt to marry him to Infanta Maria Anna of Spain culminated in an eight-month visit to Spain in 1623, which demonstrated the futility of the marriage negotiations. Two years later, shortly after his accession, he married Henrietta Maria of France. After his accession in 1625, Charles quarrelled with the English Parliament, which sought to curb his royal prerogative. His religious policies, coupled with his marriage to a Catholic, generated antipathy and mistrust from Reformed religious groups such as the English Puritans and Scottish Covenanters, who thought his views too Catholic.

During Charles I of England's reign, Shah Jahan ruled Mughal Empire, Charles I of England ruled Scotland, and Philip IV of Spain ruled Spain.

Further reading: The White King: Charles I, Traitor, Murderer, Martyr by Leanda de Lisle

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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Charles I of England

The World During Their Reign

Meanwhile in history

Further Reading

The White King: Charles I, Traitor, Murderer, Martyr

Charles I: An Abbreviated Life