Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Wednesday 31 January 2024

Charles I King and Martyr


Yesterday was the 375th anniversary of the death of King Charles I in 1649.

The cult of the Martyr King is introduced by a Wikipedia article at King Charles the Martyr
There is a 2019 article by Charles Coulombe from The Catholic Herald which looks at the tradition from a Catholic standpoint and which can be seen at Is King Charles I a saint?

Over past days groups such as the Society of King Charles the Martyr and the Royal Martyr Church Union have held their annual commemorations, whilst the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, Pusey House in Oxford, and St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh as well, no doubt, as many High Anglican and Anglo-Catholic parishes, had eucharistic celebrations in the King’s honour.

I will write separately about interesting articles in the The Royal Martyr Annual  Coronation Issue, 2024 from RMCU.

The Antiquary, who is always worth watching online, has a useful introductory video about the events leading up to the King’s death which can be viewed at The Trial and EXECUTION of King Charles I

In the video a picture of the Martyr King is shown which was new to me. A quick look on the Internet revealed that is part of the Royal Collection. Assigned to the 1660s it was acquired by Queen Victoria in 1892. The inspiration for the painting was the well known  frontispiece to the Eikon Basilike attributed to King Charles. The online RCT catalogue entry, with a photograph of the painting, can be seen at British School, 17th century  - A Memorial Picture of Charles I (1600-49)

I have posted in past years about the Royal Martyr. These posts can be seen at The Royal Martyr written in 2011, "Remember" from 2012, Commemorating the Royal Martyr, from 2013, Commemorating King Charles I from 2016, and The Last Speech of King Charles I from 2021.

My post Secondary relics of King Charles I written in 2015 covers some of the memorabilia that survive from the life of the King.

My home town has a very particular link to the events of 1649, as I set out in 2011, in Post Mortem Patris Pro Filio.

In Col John Morris I gave a link to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography life of the garrison commander. If that link does not work try accessing the ODNB online using an academic or public library card.


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