King Charles I (of England)

King Charles I of England, who reigned from 1625 to 1649, was a monarch known for his belief in royal authority and conflict with Parliament. His struggles over taxation and governance led to tensions that escalated into the English Civil War. Charles’s refusal to compromise and his attempt to rule without Parliament resulted in his trial and execution in 1649, making him the only English king to be publicly executed. His death marked a turning point, leading to the temporary abolition of the monarchy and establishing a brief commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.