Killing the King
History professor Justin Champion considers new research about the trial of Charles I, which explains how his execution was not a foregone conclusion.
Professor Justin Champion, who has been fascinated by the trial of Charles I ever since he was a teenager, pieces together new research which re-examines the archives surrounding this most important of events in English history - the only time when a British King has been publicly beheaded.
Meeting leading historians along the way, Justin goes back to crucial archives and documents which show that right up until the last moment, Charles' death was not a foregone conclusion, with the records showing that this was no show trial. In fact there were many rival schemes for resolving the problem of Charles I's tyranny: some wanted abdication, some wanted regency and only a few extremists considered the death of the King as an option. Killing the King was in fact the least likely outcome of the process.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Broadcast
- Sun 1 Feb 2009 21:50Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Radio 3
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Classical music in a strongman's Russia – has anything changed since Stalin's day?
What composer Gabriel Prokofiev and I found in Putin's Moscow...
Six Secret Smuggled Books
Six classic works of literature we wouldn't have read if they hadn't been smuggled...
Grid
Seven images inspired by the grid
World Music collector, Sir David Attenborough
The field recordings Attenborough of music performances around the world.