5 May 2010: King Charles I

King Charles I (1600-1649) was the last king born in Scotland, at Dunfermline Palace on 19 November 1600. When his father King James died on 27th March 1625, Charles was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 2nd February 1626.

His reign was marked by religious conflicts, particularly his attempts to enforce religious reforms on Scotland which eventually led to the signing of the National Covenant in 1638, and conflicts with the English and Scottish Parliaments due to his attempts to overrule their authority. The English Civil War broke out in 1642 and on 5th May 1646 Charles surrendered to the Scottish army. He was subsequently tried, convicted, and executed for high treason on 30th January 1649.

This life size lead statue of Charles I in a suit of armour is one of four designed by Arnold Quellin in 1686, showing the Stuart kings. The fee for his work was £160 sterling. The statues of Charles II and James II have disappeared but those of Charles I and James VI flank the end of the main driveway at Glamis Castle in Angus.