Charles I was the King of England from 1625 until his execution in 1649. As tensions escalated between the monarchy and Parliament, Charles attempted to rule without parliamentary consent, leading to the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642. After years of conflict, he was captured by the Parliamentary forces. A trial was held, and he was charged with high treason. Despite his defense claiming he was a monarch by divine right, the court found him guilty, which led to immense political controversy.

On the execution day, dressed in a heavy coat to ward off the cold, Charles walked to the scaffold built outside the Banqueting House in Whitehall. Notably, he made a speech asserting his innocence and declaring that he died a martyr for the people's liberties. His execution was marked by a crowd of onlookers, and his last words were an assertion about the divine right of kings.

This execution led to the temporary establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, significantly altering the course of English history and shaping future governance. Charles's death symbolized the end of absolute monarchy and paved the way for constitutional governance in England.