The Trial of Charles I. Following his defeat in the English Civil Wars; King Charles I was placed on trial by Parliament in January 1649 for levying war against his own people. This publication; which originally came out in instalments during the trial; is one of the best contemporary accounts of the proceedings. Charles had refused to acknowledge the authority of what he regarded as a revolutionary tribunal; and he called repeatedly for an adjournment. In contrast; the Lord President of the court; John Bradshaw (d. 1659); cited the 鈥榞ood words in the great old Charter of England' against what he claimed were the King's attempts to delay justice. 鈥楾here must be no delay; ' proclaimed Bradshaw; 鈥榖ut the truth is Sir; and so every man here observes it; that you have much delayed the judges in your contempt and default.' Charles was sentenced to death; and was beheaded at Whitehall on30 January 1649.London: For Peter Cole; Francis Tyton; & John Playford; 1649.From: King Charls his Tryal: or a perfect Narrative of the whole Proceedings of the High Court of Justice in the Tryal of the King in Westminster Hall.E. 545. (4.); page 29London; British Library.