Charles I

Born: 1600
Died: 1649
Reigned: 1625-49

Second son of James VI and I, and the second sovereign of the Stuart dynasty
Married Henrietta Maria of France in 1625; their children included Charles II, James II, and Mary, who married Prince William of Orange
His stubborn adherence to the Divine Right of Kings, particularly his right to rule without Parliament, and his High Church beliefs, precipitated the Civil Wars in the 1640s
After defeat by Oliver Cromwell’s forces, he was imprisoned, tried and executed in January 1649
Formed a spectacular collection of works of art, making purchases throughout Europe, but particular in Italy
Bought a superb collection of paintings and sculpture from the Duke of Mantua in 1628
Bought the Raphael Cartoons, to be copied as tapestries at Mortlake
Patron of Le Sueur and Van Dyck, who created many portraits of the King, his family and members of the court
Commissioned Rubens to paint ceiling panels depicting an allegory of Divine Right, for the Banqueting House, Whitehall
Much of his art collection, including paintings by Raphael, Titian and Rubens, was sold after his execution