CHARLES I. (1600-49). King of England. Scotland, and Ireland from 1625 to 1649. The second son of James I. of England and VI. of SO Aland, lie was born at Dunfermline, 'Novem ber 19, 1600. and created Duke of Albany at his baptism, Deeember 23. lle was a deli cate child. tongue-tied, and troubled with weak joints and ankles. In 11105 he was created Duke of York. and on the death of his brother November 6, became heir apparent, but was not created Prince of \Vales until No vember 3. 1616. lie outgrew his physical de feels, with the exception of a slight stutter: Inwaine a diligent theological student. an accom plished scholar. and skillful in the sports of tilt in•. tennis, :11111 marksmanship. At twenty-two years of age he had developed artistic and musi cal tastes. and was distinguished for modesty of and morals. Negotiations for his mar riage were made, first with Princess Chris tian. sister of T.(mis NM. of France. in 1613, and then with the Infanta liaria of Spain, (laughter of Philip M.. in DIU. In February, 1623. occurred his journey to Spain, at. the sug gestion of his favorite companion, Itmckiaghauu, who accompanied him. Unannounced. he arrived in Madrid, to the eonste•nation of the Spanish statesmen. who had already deeilled agaiu.t the Marriage. After inueli duplicity on both sides, Charles returned to England in October. being received with popular acclamation. Negotia boas were broken off on religious pretexts, al though the unwillingness of Philip to help in the restoration of Charles's brother-in-law, Fred erick, to the Palatinate, was the real cause. Charles aroused national enthusiasm by advo cating war, and expressed his readiness to con quer Spain: but his father wished for a military expedition to the Palatinate. On March 27, 1625, James died. and Charles succeeded to the throne. To gain France as an ally, on 1 he married, by pr(ixy. Princess llenriette Marie of France ), receiving his bride at Canter bury, on June 13. The national admiration was quenched by this marriage, with its aecompany ing violations of parliamentary Protestant pledges: and before a year had elapsed. Charles, finding the Queen's Catholic retinue of 440 per sons too troublesome. deported them to Frame. his marriage subsoluently proved particularly happy. Iris reign. however. was doomed to failure. Ile was a puppet in the hands of his favorite, Buckingham, whom he had appointed Prime Minister in defiance of piddle wishes, and whose warlike schemes ended igmuniniously. 'Three Par liaments, convoked in four years. were dissolved in royal exasperation at their refusal to comply with his arbitrary measures. and public fooling became embittered. The third Parliament pre sented the Petition of Right (q.v.) in 1628. The King temporized and conceded, then—althongh Buckingham's assassination had removed one cause of the contention—dissolved Parliament and caused some of the leading members to be impris oned, one of whom. Sir John Eliot, was allowed to
sicken and die in the Tower, although he present ed several petitions for a temporary release. In fluenced by the Queen, and with Laud and 'Went worth as chief advisers, Charles governed with out a Parliament for eleven years, the despotic Star Chamber and Iligh Commission courts giving semblance of legal sanction to forced loans. poundage, tonnage, ship money. and other extraordinary measures to meet governmental expenses. Republican principles developed and expanded. toward which Charles opposed a policy of severe repression. His attempt to impose Episeopaey provoked the Seoteh to restore Pres byterianism. and to adopt the Solemn League and Covenant, Miniary 2S, 163S. In 1639 Charles assembled an army to enforce his will: the Cove nanters retaliated .and advanced to the Border. Unable to proceed without supplies. in 1610 Charles summoned the 'Short Parliament.' which he dissolved in limp weeks. as the members re fused to listen to his demands, but drew up a statement of public grievances, demanded an in quiry into Eliot's death. and insisted on peaw with Scotland. Obtaining money by irregular means, Charles advanced against the Scots. Neho crossed the Border and defeated his army at New burn-upon-Tyne, and soon afterwards occupied Newcastle and Durham. everywhere receiving popular sympathy and support. Ilis money ex hausted. the King was compelled to call the 'Long Parliament.' which met. November 3, 1640. Led by the ripe, sagacious, and dauntless Ppm it proceeded to redress grievances, and showed its resolution by impeaching and imprisoning the instigators of royal despotism—Laud. and Went worth, who had been created Earl of Strafford. The King tried to save Strafford by bribery: .then consented to a plot to overawe Parlia ment by military force, which being discovered, Strafford was condemned to death. Charles humbly asked for a milder punishment : but, in trepidation for the life of his Queen. which he considered in danger from mob violence, signed St•afford'A death warrant, and confirmed a bill by which Parliament was not to be dis solved without its own consent. The King was now pledged to constitutional rule: hut un happil•. imbued with extreme notions of kingly could not rest content. Ile visited Scotland. hoping by concessions to win favor and armed support : but while there the Irish Re bellion and Ulster Massacre occurred. and, know ing that Charles had intrigued for the military assistance of the Irish Catholic lords. Parlia ment enlarged its demands. The Commons ac cepted a petition against the royally appointed bishops who disputed their authority, and who were mobbed on their way to the I louse of Lords.