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Acceded 1625-1649.

Charles I (reigned 1625-49) was a shy, aloof man who lacked the qualities necessary to make him a successful ruler. Parliament refused to grant him taxes for his wars against France and Spain and he raised money by other means such as forced loans. His third Parliament criticised his management of the wars and condemned his illegal taxation, whereupon he dissolved Parliament and for the next 11 years governed without it.

In 1640 Charles was forced to call Parliament to pay for his war against the Scots on whom he was trying to impose an Anglican prayer book. Parliament overturned many of Charles's policies but had no wish to overthrow the King. However, Charles's attempt to arrest five leading members of the House of Commons, and a Roman Catholic rebellion in Ireland (which sharpened the debate over the command of the army) helped to push the King and Parliament apart. In 1642 civil war broke out.

By 1647 the King's army had been defeated. Attempts were made to reach a settlement but after Charles's escape and a renewal of the war, the leaders of the Parliamentary army determined that the King should be put on trial. In January 1649 he was tried for waging war on his people, condemned to death and executed at Whitehall in London.