Why was Charles I executed/Charles' trial Flashcards
When was Charles kept as a prisoner for Parliament?
1648
What did Charles do that sparked the second civil war?
In August, Charles secretly persuaded the Scots to invade England. The Scots were convinced by Charles and had the English royalists on their side.
Who won the second civil war?
Parliament
After the second civil war, Parliament met to discuss what to do with Charles.
What did they discuss and what was their final decision on Charles?
Out of the 286 members of Parliament, 240 of them thought that Charles should be given another chance.
At the next meeting, these 240 members were stopped from entering Parliament by Cromwell’s troops.
This left 46 members to dicuss what to do with Charles and it was eventually decided that Charles would be put on trial for treason.
When and where did the trial happen?
20th January 1649
Westminster Hall, London
What were the charges against Charles?
He was accused of treason, murder, rape, burnings, damage and desolation.
He was therefore a tyrant, traitor and murderer as well as an enemy to England.
What did Charles say against his charges?
He felt that his authority should not be compared to an unlawful one; to not be compared to the many unlawful ones in the world.
He also referenced to his divine right and would not betray it to answer a new unlawful authority.
How much of these charges did Charles decline?
He declined all of them.
Who was the judge in Charles’ trial?
John Bradshaw
What was the outcome of the trial?
Charles would be executed.
