Charles I

Charles was a frail and backward child who became heir apparent on the death of his promising elder brother ,Henry,in 1612.Encountering opposition in parliament ,he ruled without it during the "Eleven Years Tyranny "(1629-40),levying taxes unsanctioned by parliament .A revolt by the Scots ,provoked by measures to align the Presbyterian Kirk with the Church of England ,forced him to call parliament to raise money .Exasperated by his illegal imposts ,the Commons demanded redress of grievances first.Charles's attempt to arrest five leading members in his flight from London,which he never succeeded in regaining .This put him at a hopeless disadvantage throughout the conflict with parliament ;he was executed for treason seven years later .