Charles I

Also known as: Charles / Charles I. / Charles Stuart / His Majesty, King Charles / King Charles / King Charles I / Poor king / Stuart / his majesty / the king · Family: Royalists · Role: king of England · First appears: Chapter 14

In chapter 14, Charles I shed the blood of Strafford, an act held to confirm that blood would bring further blood. By chapter 36, he had concentrated his remaining resources at Naseby for a final battle, while Madame Henrietta sought to learn whether France’s rulers would support him. Henrietta Maria asked Mazarin to aid Charles or grant him refuge in France, but France refused; Madame Henrietta resolved to die beside him if he had to sacrifice himself, and asked Athos and Aramis to protect him.

At Newcastle in chapter 55, Charles had surrendered the town to Parliament when Athos warned that Cromwell had arrived and the enemy surrounded the camp. Lord Leven declared him a prisoner after selling him to Parliament, while Athos, Aramis, and Lord Winter attempted to secure his escape. Charles accepted their plan, but was captured and taken toward Holdenby Castle under Oliver Cromwell’s authority; before this, he knighted Athos and Aramis, telling Athos, “You are brave, faithful and loyal. I knight you, monsieur le comte.”

Charles was later held under Harrison’s guard, while D’Artagnan, Porthos, Athos, and Aramis tried to rescue him. Brought before the high court, he refused to recognize its authority, but Parliament condemned him to death. In his final hours, Juxon, Parry, Athos, and Aramis attended him, and he entrusted Athos with hidden gold for the welfare of the Prince of Wales; he secured Duke of Gloucester’s oath concerning the crown and told Princess Charlotte, “Never forget me.” Charles was executed on the scaffold after giving the signal “Remember!”; afterward, Athos and Aramis revealed his death, and Athos presented his wedding ring to Queen Anne of Austria.