dots-menu
×

James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.

January 30

Execution of Charles I.

By Andrew Marvell (1621–1678)

  • Charles I. was executed at Whitehall on Jan. 30, 1649, and was buried on the same night in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

  • From “An Horation Ode

    *****
    That Charles himself might chase

    To Carisbrook’s narrow case;

    That thence the royal actor borne,

    The tragic scaffold might adorn.

    While round the armed bands

    Did clap their bloody hands,

    He nothing common did or mean

    Upon that memorable scene;

    But with his keener eye

    The axe’s edge did try:

    Nor called the gods, with vulgar spite,

    To vindicate his helpless right;

    But bowed his comely head

    Down, as upon a bed.