King Charles I was found guilty of waging war on his subjects by a special court in central London.

As the victors of the English Civil War, Parliament decided to charge the King with high treasons and "other high crimes".

A commission of 135 men made up of landed gentry, lawyers and army officers was drawn up. However, on the first day of the trial, held in the Painted Chamber of the Palace of Westminster, barely half actually turned up.

Condemned as a "tyrant, murderer and public enemy to English people", Charles Stuart was beheaded 3 days later in Whitehall.

The English monarchy was replaced with a Republican Commonwealth led by Oliver Cromwell until he died in 1660.

Soon after his death, the Commonwealth fell apart and the monarchy was restored under Charles II.