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December 2001 265

allowed to keep their religious beliefs.
Charles further angered his subjects when he took
Princess Henrietta Maria of France (who was Roman
Catholic) as his bride. This was after his bid for the hand
of the Spanish infanta was rejected. By rnaking the
alliance with France, both nations could fight Spain.
In reality, during most of Charles' reign, there was a
civil war befween the Carnaliers (the royalists) and the
Roundheads (supporters of Parliament led by Cromwell).
Finally, when Charles' outrageous demands became intolerable, the
people revolted and Charles was arrested.
In Parliament, the moderate legislators were forcibly ejected by the
Independents and a so-called "Rump Parliarnent" appointed a coutl to try Charles
for treason. Charles, of course, denied the legaliry of this coutt or any coutt to try
him, as he felt he was the only authority in the land. In the end, however, he was
tried and convicted.
Although Scotland., France and the royal family tried to intervene on his
behalf and have his life spared, he was beheaded at Whitehall, London fiust like
his grandrnother) on January 30, 1649, ending a long period of revolution and dis-
content in England.
Oliver Cromwell then became chairman of the council of state, a parliamen-
tarian agency, which go\/erned England as a republic.
In modern street talk, Charles \\ras a handsome dude who did it his way and
paid the supreme price.
- MWS

Some of'the. nlunv versiorts of Churles I on buttons are shctwon throughottt this article.