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Via Violeta Borzea – Despre cum tin unii la imagine pana in ultima clipa vietii! Frumos!

On this day in 1649 King Charles I of England is martyred.

Charles Stuart, as his death warrant states, was beheaded on Tuesday, 30 January 1649. It was reported that before the execution he wore warmer clothing to prevent the cold weather causing any noticeable shivers that the crowd could have mistaken for fear or weakness:

„the season is so sharp as probably may make me shake, which some observers may imagine proceeds from fear. I would have no such imputation.”

The execution took place at Whitehall on a scaffold in front of the Banqueting House. Charles was separated from the people by large ranks of soldiers, and his last speech reached only those with him on the scaffold. He declared that he had desired the liberty and freedom of the people as much as any, „but I must tell you that their liberty and freedom consists in having government … It is not their having a share in the government; that is nothing appertaining unto them. A subject and a sovereign are clean different things.”

Charles put his head on the block after saying a prayer and signaled the executioner when he was ready; he was then beheaded with one clean stroke. His last words were:

„I shall go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown, where no disturbance can be.” (sursa si informatii detaliate aici).

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