Josh Robinson Mr.. Comer 15 November 2012 Trial of King Charles I Summary of Charges King Charles I of England is being charged as a tyrant, traitor, and murderer; and a public and implacable enemy of the Commonwealth of England. He is convicted of using his power to pursue his personal interest rather than the good of England, and raging war against the parliament and the people of England. For the Defense My client pleads guilty, but for a lesser charge than death. He was only trying to do what was right for England. The people of England were going through a hard time and the country needed money.
When my client and the Parliament could not agree on terms of taxation and plans to raise money, his only choice was to dissolve Parliament. As king, he was ling power and the only way to gain that power back was to wage war on Parliament. We both agree that this war was wrong and foolish and many great lives were lost. We plead that his punishment should be removal as king of England and Exile from this great country. Witnesses 1. Oliver Cromwell – Was for the Parliament, General of Horse in the army. I will use him to show that he planned to overthrow King Charles I before the civil war had started. 2.
Jacob Castle – Fought for the Royalist, Baron and Major General in the royalist army. Baron Castle will help prove King Charles I was a humble king. 3. Ralph Hops – Commander of the royalist army and Baron of Stratton. I’m using Baron Hops to give information of what King Charles I had planned to do if he had won the war. 4. George Goring- General of Horse for the Royalist army and Baron. George will give his opinion of how it was to fight for King Charles I and the Royalist army 5. Charles Lucas – Royalist, Lieutenant General of Horse. I will use Charles Lucas to tell everyone how life as a prisoner was under the Parliamentary army.
To the Jury: A roundhead is a supporter for the Parliament and a Cavalier is a supporter for the king. Summary of Evidence [pick] If the parliament had agreed on taxation with King Charles I This war would have never have happened and lives would Not have been lost. Oliver Cromwell was against King Charles marriage When King Charles married Henrietta Mar to create An alliance with France. Oliver Cromwell would not Know how to protect England. T you accuse King Charles to murder to England’s Own people, then you should accuse the Parliament As well, since both sides were English.
Anticipatory Arguments Argument: King Charles supported Catholics Answer: King Charles supported Louis XIII so England and France could become allies. Argument: King Charles started this war by trying to raise taxes on the people of England. Answer: King Charles needed money from the wars he had fought to protect his country. The Parliament were unreasonable and he no other way to raise money. Since the Parliament had not helped they were useless to him so he dismissed them. Separation of Church and State Just about everybody in England was Protestant, including the members of Parliament.
King Charles I made the Parliament angry by supporting Louis XIII catholic) who was at civil war against Protestants. King Charles also married Henrietta Mar who was catholic. The religious issues should not be included in this case because it is irrelevant. King Charles I is Protestant and so is everyone in Parliament. Precedent: I would like to see this cases outcome shape history by warning all kings, or even dictators that if they don’t listen to the people of their country, they wont rule very long. Questions for Consideration: 1 . This event is described as the English Civil War because the English were fighting the English. 2.
I would have been a roundhead because having an absolute monarch is not the right choice for a type of government. 3. I think the impact the English Civil War will have is that other countries will over throw their kings/queens. 4. Oliver Cromwell became the Lord Protector of England, which is similar to the president, and the parliament is similar to the House of Representatives. 5. I chose to be an attorney for the defense because even though King Charles I made some wrong decisions and caused the civil war, I do not think he should have been beheaded in front of hundreds of people. My choice did not change throughout my research.