Charles I: A Life of Religion, War and Treason

Charles Stuart was an unlikely heir to the English and Scottish thrones. As a child, he was shy and suffered from a stammer, but gained confidence under the mentorship of the Duke of Buckingham. His marriage to Henrietta of Spain was initially arranged to ease tensions between the nations, but developed into a genuine partnership. Charles I is primarily known for initiating the English Civil War in 1642, which culminated in his execution for treason in 1649. This event ended the monarchy and led to the establishment of a commonwealth, though the monarchy was restored in 1660. Hibbert's biography reconstructs Charles I's world, including his court, artistic patronage, and family relationships, while documenting the sequence of events that led to his execution.