The Regicides

Revision as of 11:07, 26 December 2014

Introduction

The judge John Bradshaw who tried Charles I was the first to sign warrant followed by 58 others Oliver Cromwell was third signature. After republic failed and Charles II returned to England there was clamour for those who had been instrumental in bring Charles to court should be punished so that a line could be drawn under the interregnum

The chief prosecutor was Solicitor General Finch was out to make a name for himself in this most famous case.

Of the Eighteen or nineteen who had fled the country about a dozen were tracked down and assassinated. Twenty-nine remained to be tried. Some were puritan zealots such as Thomas Harrison (17). Atheists like Henry Martin 31 were republicans. Other prominent defendents included Hugh Peters, Daniel Axtel, John Cooke and John Downes.

Judge was royalist ? who lived a quiet life during Oliver Cromwell's reign. Judge addressed the accused at the start of the trial King can do know wrong so ?

Thomas Harrison son of Staffordshire butcher, zealot and ruthless soldier. He signed warrant because he felt Charles 1 was responsible for the bloodshed of the Civil War, especially for his actions that led to outbreak of the 2nd Civil War. It was Harrison who called Charles that man of blood. Belonged to the Fifth Monarchy Men. He pleaded Not Guilty arguing that Charles was executed by the will of Parliament and he did what he did out of conscience of the Lord and for the good of the Commonwealth. Found guilty by Thursday and executed 36 hours later (hanged drawn and quartered). Pepys said of Harrison.....

Hugh Peters – a firebrand American puritan preacher. Peters had fled to America during Charles 1st reign. He was famous for eve of battle sermons and was close to TC. Hugh Peters had visited Charles 1st before his trial in hope that Charles 1st would repent bur Charles 1st would not hear him. Peters was subdued during his trial but occasionally flashes of the old firebrand were glimpsed. Peters was a broken man but touched a nerve when he repeated that the Kings death was God’s judgment on Charles’ wicked reign. He denied he preached incitement to kill the King merely to see the errors of his ways.

Henry Martin was an atheist, Republican and womanizer who would rather command a quote “regiment of whores than a regiment of horse”. He argued that he was following the appointed Parliament. He suggested that many who were sitting in the court thought and believed many of the same things. He was no martyr and pleaded for clemency. He was jailed for life

John Cooke. He was a radical and clever lawyer. It was he who wrestled with how the King could be put on trial when the King was the representation of the law and could do no wrong and was above the law. Cooke was lead prosecutor in the trial of the King. The King would not recognize the court and if he would not plead he could not tried but his lack of a response Cooke argued was an admissions on guilt “Pro confesso” Cooke at his trial said that in retrospect because there was no plea therefore there was no trial. Cooke went on to say that he was merely doing his profession and paid a fee for such.

Daniel Axtel was in command of the guard that kept order in the Parliament. He was a grocer by profession and rose to prominence during the Civil Wars. He was one of a new breed of radical soldiers demanding new rights. His defence was similar to other regicides who argues that they were not acting out of malice but doing his duty. He was hanged drawn and quartered.

John Downes had first been elected during Charles’ 1 reign, He was a more prominent businessman than he was a parliamentarian. Although he signed the warrant he did try and plead the King’s case and argues that the other commissioners should offer the King another compromise. Although originally sentenced to death it was commuted to life in prison on account of him being intimidated by the other signers of the warrant, soldiers and the general ferment of the times.

It took just over a week to try all 29 regicides and all were found guilty 10 were executed and 19 died in jail. Some died in 6 years and some like Martin survived 19 years before he went mad and died. Just a few years later James III would be deposed by parliament and replaced by a Dutch prince and a new bill of rights.

Commissioners

In the order in which they signed the death warrant, the Commissioners were: