"Charles was put to death at the time when his influence, long on the wane, was at its lowest point. He had outlived his usefulness, alienated every party, political and religious, betrayed and deserted his most intimate accomplices, and deceived his subjects generally. Charles had talents above the average. With much of the culture and refinement of his epoch, he lacked that breadth of view, consistency of purpose, and firmness of will which distinguish a good ruler and a powerful statesman. His manliness was not of the highest order, and his courage was spasmodic, which is not to be wondered at, since in courting success Charles acted on the vicious principle that the end justifies the means. The oft-repeated assertion that Charles died a martyr to religion and to Episcopacy cannot be maintained by any one cognizant of the unscrupulous stratagems which he used in order to restore himself to absolute power, such as the temporary countenancing of Presbyterianism in Scotland in 1641, and his offer to re-establish popery in Ireland in 1645."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
James King Hewison, The Covenanters: A History of the Church in Scotland from the Reformation to the Revolution, Volume I (1908), pp. 450-451
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_England
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Charles I of England
1707 – 1714
Charles I (November 19, 1600 – January 30, 1649) was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. After his succession in 1625, Charles quarrelled with the Parliament of England, which sought to curb his royal prerogative. Charles believed in the divine right of kings, and was determined to govern according to his own conscience.
64 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Charles I of England →
Related Quotes
"Princes are not bound to give an account of their Actions but to God alone."
"You desire a preservation of the liberties; it is good, but for God's sake do not spend so much time that a foreign e…"
"Being by God's ordinance, according to our just title, Defender of the Faith, and Supreme Governor of the Church, wit…"
"That the Articles of the Church of England (which have been allowed and authorised heretofore, and which our clergy g…"
"And whereas, for several ill ends, the calling againe of a Parliament is divulged, howsoever Wee have shewed, by Our …"
"There be two things in your Letter that require Answer, to wit, the Answer to their Petition, and concerning the Expl…"
"And though it should perhaps cast all loose, (as you express;) yet We take God to witness, We have permitted them to …"
"If you find, that what We have commanded you to doe is likely to cause a Rupture, their impertinent Motions give you …"
"Our Father of blessed memorie immediately after his comming into England, comparing the decencie and uniformitie of G…"
"Be your holiness persuaded that I am, and ever shall be, of such moderation as to keep aloof, as far as possible, fro…"