Why Was Charles I Executed?

by Clive Holmes

The execution of Charles I in 1649, followed by the proclamation of a Commonwealth, was an extraordinary political event. It followed a bitter Civil War between parliament and the king, and their abject failure to negotiate a peace settlement. Why the king was defeated and executed has long been a central question in English history. The old answers, whether those of the historian S R Gardiner or of Lawrence Stone, no longer satisfy. Clive Holmes supplies clear answers to eight key questions about the period, ranging from why the king had to summon the Long Parliament to whether there was in fact an English Revolution at all.

Genres: History

262 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a detailed review of the English Revolution and Interregnum. Each chapter asks a question such as the one used in the title of the book. By using such a direct question he is able to organize a wealth of material in a way that someone who is not very familiar with the material doesn't get lost. He is presenting his own interpretation of events. I wasn't familiar enough with other interpretations for this to matter to me. I would recommend this book as an introduction to the politics of mid-seventeenth century England.

[imngrer · Rating 3 out of 5]

He makes some excellent points and this is a very useful book.

But it does not flow very well and he jumps about all over the place.

[Andrea Zuvich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Abandoned.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

nonfiction,history