Charles I was born on November 19, 1600, in Dunfermline, Scotland, as the second son of James VI of Scotland and I of England and Anne of Denmark. He ascended to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1625 following the death of his father. His reign was marked by religious, political, and constitutional disputes, which ultimately led to the English Civil War, his trial, and execution.
Charles was not originally expected to become king, but the death of his older brother, Henry Frederick, in 1612, made him heir apparent. His upbringing was heavily influenced by his mother's strict Catholicism, despite James VI and I being a Protestant. Charles was shy, stuttered, and had a slight speech impediment, which might have contributed to his reserved nature.
Charles I's belief in the divine right of kings and his attempts to enforce religious uniformity led to conflicts with both Puritans in England and Presbyterians in Scotland. His marriage to Henrietta Maria of France, a Catholic, further fueled tensions, as did his support for William Laud, the Archbishop of Canterbury, whose policies were seen as an attempt to reintroduce Catholic practices into the Anglican Church.
From 1629 to 1640, Charles ruled without calling a Parliament, known as the Eleven Years' Tyranny, where he relied on non-parliamentary taxes and loans, which were deeply unpopular. The financial strain from his wars with Spain and France, coupled with the religious policies, forced him to recall Parliament in 1640. The Short Parliament was dissolved after three weeks, but the Long Parliament was more assertive, seeking to limit the king's powers.
Disputes over religion, finance, and political power led to the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642. Charles raised his standard at Nottingham, marking the beginning of the conflict. The war was fought between the Royalists (Cavaliers) and the Parliamentarians (Roundheads). After initial successes, the tide turned with the formation of the New Model Army under Oliver Cromwell, leading to the defeat of the Royalists.
After his capture, Charles was put on trial for treason in Westminster Hall in 1649. He was accused of waging war against Parliament and his subjects. On January 30, 1649, Charles I was executed by beheading outside Whitehall, marking a significant moment in British history as it was the first time a reigning monarch had been tried and executed by his own subjects.
Charles I's execution and the subsequent establishment of the Commonwealth under Cromwell ended the monarchy temporarily in England. After Cromwell's death, the monarchy was restored in 1660 with Charles II, Charles I's son, ascending the throne. The reign of Charles I is often studied for its constitutional implications, the rise of parliamentary power, and the eventual limitation of royal prerogative.