The Trial of Charles I, 17th century (engraving)

Following his defeat in the English Civil Wars, King Charles I was placed on trial by Parliament in January 1649 for levying war against his own people. This publication, which originally came out in instalments during the trial, is one of the best contemporary accounts of the proceedings. Charles had refused to acknowledge the authority of what he regarded as a revolutionary tribunal, and he called repeatedly for an adjournment. In contrast, the Lord President of the court, John Bradshaw (d. 1659), cited the 'good words in the great old Charter of England' against what he claimed were the King's attempts to delay justice. 'There must be no delay' proclaimed Bradshaw, 'but the truth is Sir, and so every man here observes it, that you have much delayed the judges in your contempt and default'. Charles was sentenced to death, and was beheaded at Whitehall on30 January 1649 King Charles his Tryal: or a perfect Narrative of the whole Proceedings of the High Court of Justice in the Tryal of the King in Westminster Hall ... London: For Peter Cole, Francis Tyton, & John Playford, 1649 Language: English Source/Shelfmark: E.545.(4.), page 29