Back to source: The trial of King Charles I, 1649 King Charles I was the first of the monarchs to be tried for treason and this led to his execution. No law has been found in the history of England dealing with the trial of a monarch. King Charles I thought he had unlimited political power over the sovereign state and its people. In 1625, Charles I's first year as king was a bumpy one. He ascended the throne during a plague and immediately plunged the country into a war against Spain, which failed miserably. At the beginning of his reign, his claims to be an absolute monarch were visible. “Remember that Parliaments are entirely within my power for their convocation, sitting and dissolution. Therefore, whether I find the fruits good or bad, they must continue or not. …” The House of Commons and the English people were wary of their new king. Once King Charles I enacted the new taxes, the House of Commons had no choice but to create a petition against them, "insisting on its traditional privilege of approving taxes and opposing the imposition of anything like martial law from Carlo". However, Charles did not agree with the petition, accepted it, and then decided to abandon Parliament and rule alone. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay His premature actions of absolute monarchism led to his attempt to reform the local government. He created the first annual income tax in England, commissioned William Laud to reform churches across the country, causing riots in the Scottish Presbyterian Church that led Scots to unite, and in 1638 signed a National Covenant, “swearing to defend the Presbyterian Church the death". All this protest caused Charles to desperately turn to Parliament for help. Naturally, Parliament wanted reforms before submitting to the king's wishes, but Charles I didn't like what he was told, so he overthrew the "Short Parliament" and called another one. This act was another feature of his absolute monarchy displayed to the public. The riots increased, the reformers were still angry, and most of the English population was not happy. The Puritans called for even more reform, and the Irish rioters lashed out at their “Protestant overlords, massacring some 12,000 people.” In the chaos, Charles continued his absurd monarchical rule and ordered a plot to imprison his Catholic wife, Henrietta. He also accused five prominent parliament models of treason and wanted to lock them up. Having done this, the reformers were convinced that Charles was abusing his power and had become a "tyrant, rather than a benevolent father, to his people." Once he had brought Charles to court, he held that "neither Parliament, nor any earthly court, had the right to try him." He started off track by disrespecting the courts by refusing to take off his hat. This statement alone demonstrates an absolute monarchism which results in his thinking not being in the same category as others in the court. He then threatens the court by asking who is responsible for trying him: “Remember that I am your king, your rightful king, and what sins you bear on your heads, and the judgment of God upon this earth; think about it carefully, I tell you, think about it carefully, before you move from one sin to a greater one;” trying to imply that there will be consequences for whoever took him to court. Charles continued to deny that he had responded to the courts, further revealing his belief that he was supreme. He continued to insist on his right to rule, until his proxy, the Lord Speaker of Parliament, John Bradshaw,."