WHAT HAPPENED TO CHARLES I’S CORPSE? Where was Charles I buried? Gruesome dead body story | Stuarts

How was CHARLES I’S CORPSE LOST and how was he found again? In this Stuart royal history documentary from History Calling, we start in 1649 with the execution of Charles I, the King who lost his head to the Parliamentarians led by Oliver Cromwell.
After a brief look at the events of that day, we then move forward to look at what happened to Charles I’s body in the immediate aftermath of his death when it was put on display, with the head sewn back on, to prove his demise. I’ll then share details of precisely where Charles I was buried in St George’s Chapel Windsor, how the location of his body was lost to history and how he was eventually found again, by accident, in 1813. I’ll disclose how the King’s body was discovered in the vault of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, what Charles I’s coffin is like, the condition his remains were in (complete with a contemporary drawing of his head) and the appalling and disrespectful decision made by some of those who examined it, including the Prince Regent, aka the future George IV, to steal pieces of the dead King’s remains as gruesome souvenirs. Seriously, why do people do that!
We’ll then look at the second time the vault was opened that century, which was in 1888 in the presence of the then Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII). This was so that the ‘relics’ stolen during the 1813 opening could be replaced and again, you’ll hear an eye-witness report explaining what condition the various coffins and remains were in at that stage. Finally we’ll look at the memorial slab which now marks Charles I’s grave and at when, why and by whom it was installed.
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[@HistoryCalling]

What do you make of the treatment of Charles I’s corpse, from death to disinterments? Let me know below and remember to check me out on Patreon at www.patreon.com/historycalling and on my Amazon storefront at www.amazon.com/shop/historycalling

[@tasanijanus7092]

Honestly I think enough of a point was made with his execution. Its sad all around. As far as I know the treatment of Charles I's corpse is well within the standard for English executions?

[@HistoryCalling]

I think he was actually treated pretty well by the Parliamentarians (other than killing him obviously!) Weirdly, it was other members of the later royal family who were less respectful of his remains.

[@lfgifu296]

@@HistoryCalling Let’s say they treated him well posthumously lol

[@lfgifu296]

the parliamentarians ofc

[@tasanijanus7092]

I think I'd rather be stabbed at the steps of the Senate mid March.

[@CaptainBruce-bz1sf]

As a professional radio broadcaster for several decades I want to commend your extremely clear and pleasing voice over skills. Keep up the good work!

[@medievalwolfgrrl]

I’m an embalmer… and since you asked, it is completely implausible that they found blood when Charles I was disinterred. It is even more implausible that his brain was intact inside his skull. If his head had been sewn back on, it would be evident in the remaining skin on his neck. I agree with your opinion that he was embalmed immediately after his death or he would not have been identifiable when he was disinterred. We modern embalmers could learn much from our medieval brethren.

[@susanmccormick6022]

Didn't Monmouth have his head replaced because they had no painting of him?Or is that just legend?Monmouth's problem,I think,is he was spoiled by his father & listened to people who manipulated him.Sad.

[@HistoryCalling]

Hi Lorrie. Thank you for sharing. I was hoping someone could fill in the blanks for me, as I found the idea of blood after all that time quite implausible too.

[@medievalwolfgrrl]

@@HistoryCalling You’re most welcome. I love your channel. Thanks for the great content!

[@silvertbird1]

I’m certainly not an embalmer - nor could ever be, too squeamish - and please don’t think I’m contradicting you as an expert; however, this body was completely sealed in lead, a practice, which I don’t think is done anywhere outside of the royal family, certainly not in United States (although of course I don’t know your location). Might that not have made a significant difference, if the corpse was hermetically sealed?

[@medievalwolfgrrl]

@@silvertbird1 possibly. There are still some countries that seal in lead caskets that I’ve seen actually. However, over time, blood would mix with other body fluids etc. and would not be recognizable as blood any longer. I have seen this with disinterred remains many times.

[@sekhmetsaes]

Oh, I know this one!!! A "sewer" was a high status servant who directly served the king at table. The monarch's personal wait-staff if you will. Occasionally also doubled as the monarch's food-taster.

[@iriandia]

As a modern “sewer” (as in someone who sews) this is a great thing to know!!!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much :-)

[@kinsmansteve]

@@HistoryCalling If you pronounce the 'w' in the German style, like a 'v', then it's not so far away from 'server'.

[@seansabhaois]

Excellent channel 👍🙂 First time viewer. I've never been a fan of Charles I or any monarch for that matter. But he seemed to be courageous and I guess resigned to his grisly fate, in the end. With the scaffold decking quite high up, folk at ground level, would struggle to see this spectacle. The rubber-neckers at window height or sitting on roof tops, might get a birds eye view. I bet some money for viewing spaces changed hands on that cold morning. Most folk today would faint with shock, seeing the newly, severed head of a 'traitor' being held up for their amusement. Those were incredibly rough and sordid times. If I was going take that final walk, I'd be praying the axe man, knew his business and wouldn't make a mess of it.

[@leticiagarcia9025]

The Parliamentarians and Oliver Cromwell treated him with more respect than his family members and future royals. I find that disturbing. I’m glad his tomb was found and then interred so he can rest in peace. Thank you for the history lesson. I liked your personal thank you. Have a lovely weekend.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, it is a bit worrying that the people who killed him treated his corpse better than other royals but that's history for you; so strange you couldn't make it up. Have a great weekend too.

[@Apollo1989V]

All the more troubling when you consider his son, Charles II held a petty grudge against Cromwell and those who signed the death warrant.

[@Michel411]

I always found the tale of Charles I to be immensely tragic. He ruled over a fractious kingdom rife with division. One may be inclined to criticise many aspects of his style of rulership, but I’d argue he was no worse or more heavy handed than any of his continental contemporaries. He certainly didn’t deserve his death, at the hands of his own rebellious parliament no less. Cromwell himself was a monster with well bloodied hands, and a stifling autocrat. On a happier note though, I’m really loving your videos and their style. You manage to demonstrate the plain humanity of historical figures that are otherwise shrouded in the politics of their age, and detached in the public consciousness from the reality of flesh and blood that defines us all, even after death.

[@HistoryCalling]

Hi Francois. Thank you so much for such a lovely comment. I hope you continue to enjoy the videos :-)

[@susanmccormick6022]

I loathe both Cromwell's & can think of other rulers who actually deserved the axe/sword,yet flourished like the green bay tree.

[@ot8210]

Loved the pictures you took, very cool. Desecration of a corpse is horrible. To say I have a souvenir from such a place shows the black side of peoples hearts. How do you forget where someone is buried in such a enclosed place? It’s not not you are searching a cemetery by any means. I even remember where I buried my first goldfish for crying out loud. Thank you for another fine video, OT.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks OT. I suppose they knew roughly where the vault was, but with no marker and perhaps no written records, they just kinda forgot where the entrance was. I think famous people are better off with anonymous graves anyway though. Look what happened after all as soon as they figured out where he was.

[@ot8210]

@@HistoryCalling Yes that is very true and I understand.

[@leefr76]

Informative and interesting video. Alec Guineas plays an excellent Charles I in the 1970’s film Cromwell.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yeah, Guinness was a great actor. :-)

[@JGHistorian]

I've been on a History Calling binge watch for the past few days and have watched nearly every video of yours. There are few history creators that put as much effort and research into videos as you do, thank you for making such high quality content!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. I only wish I could get everyone else to go on a similar binge :-)

[@CBCycles]

Me too, on a total History Calling tear! Love it

[@cd3224]

​@@HistoryCalling i am currently on my binge having found your channel yesterday! Absolutely fascinating videos, well researched and presented.

[@theskincareskinny5006]

LOVING these videos! Have watched most now 😅

[@cd3224]

@@HistoryCalling they don't know what they are missing!

[@HollowAssassin13]

I cannot imagine looking at the body of anyone, let alone a king, and thinking, "Let me take some of them home with me!" Disgusting behavior. Absolutely unhinged.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. People are weird. It happens all the time in history though (and probably in modern times too).

[@ramencurry6672]

It’s the psychology of young males trying to find excitement. I agree it’s wrong though. I would find a more fulfilling hobby

[@jimhattery4348]

Thank you for these meticulously researched videos. It's obvious that a tremendous amount of work has been done!

[@HistoryCalling]

You're very welcome. Yes, this one in particular was a real slog to do due to its length. I dislike anything over 20 minutes due to the amount of time it takes and this is 37. I was so wrecked by the end of it!

[@stephencarrillo5905]

Your videos always merit a second (or third) viewing, HC. Love the personal footage. You're putting that camera to good use. 👏👏

[@HistoryCalling]

THANKS STEPHEN :-) Yes, the GoPro is being made to earn its expensive price tag back. Maybe I'll go to London in the summer and get some more footage. I'll see.

[@heathermason9311]

Loved the inclusion of your personal footage! Even the watermark isn’t a distraction, and I certainly understand the reasoning behind that. Another great video. Excellent work.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. I think I'll try to find a more subtle way of watermarking though. This one is maybe a bit big (which was part of the reason I only put it on my footage and not the whole video). It's a work in progress.

[@stephanieking4444]

@@HistoryCalling did you consider a logo placed in one of the corners? I know about the possibility of removal, but relatively few people have the skill to do that. Logos can be made using free software, such as Krita or GIMP, available on Linux, Mac and Windows

[@onagaali2024]

King Charles I is buried in St George's Chapel at Windsor next to Henry VIII and Jane Seymour. I never understood why people can't just leave the dead buried and quit desecrating their remains using pieces of their corpses for their own vanity,avarice, and greed. Such stories draw my ire.

[@HistoryCalling]

A lot of people are just sick in the head I guess. I don't think humans on the whole are as civilised as we like to think.

[@onagaali2024]

@@HistoryCalling certainly not. It's things humans do that animals don't even think of.

[@billsonsin7547]

This was very interesting. I knew he was interred at Windsor but was never aware of how he got there and the "stops" along the way. Actually, given the circumstances surrounding his death, I'm amazed that any of his remains even survived.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, all the royal brides who get married there walk over the top of him (and Henry VIII and Jane Seymour for that matter). It's not very romantic!

[@dfuher968]

I find it especially amazing, that any of his remains survived, given the complete lack of planning for what to do with the corpse after the execution. Quite an appalling lack of forethought.

[@billsonsin7547]

All the royal brides…. Harry and Meagan too? BTW: On Jeopardy (an American trivia quiz show) this week, the final question was re where Thomas More and 3 16th century English queens are buried? Answer is Tower of London (according to the show though apparently only part of Sir Thomas is there). None of the 3 contestants answered correctly. As the show host pointed out Lady Jane Grey was also a queen, making her the 3rd one.

[@csh43166]

I was just thinking the exact same thing.

[@Mason879]

@@billsonsin7547yes, Harry & Meghan got married there. It was a beautiful wedding 😊

[@justineharper3346]

I really enjoy these videos about royal corpses. It’s something I would never have thought to look into, but they’ve really piqued my morbid curiosity. Thank you for the interesting content! I really enjoy the videos about famous jewelry as well 😊

[@marilynpoitras7839]

I am so appreciative of all the work you put into these episodes! Each one is a gem! Thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Marilyn. Yes this one in particular was a real slog due to how long it is. I always groan when I see them going over 20 minutes, let along 37!

[@siomhe8539]

Love your videos! Especially your honesty and forthcoming with your sources and potential drawbacks to the sources. It really shows off the true scope of honest historical research. Also, as an American who was schooled in “all British kings were tyrants” until I lived in the UK and was able to obtain some non US written history books…I love having good resources to learn more about British and Western European history!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. It's interesting to hear how British history was presented to you in your American education. I suppose we're not quite forgiven yet for colonialism/burning down the White House that time... 🙄 To be fair though, we aren't as balanced as we could be either. I would say that when we're taught American history in the UK, it leans into slavery, racism and things like the JFK assassination and misses out a lot of other material.

[@raeannuria5691]

@@HistoryCalling well said!

[@shelbythe2ds526]

Another very well done video!!! So meticulously researched! Brilliant. Thank you for all your hard work ❤

[@HistoryCalling]

My pleasure :-)

[@katyp.2495]

Apart from having his head unceremoniously removed from his shoulders, poor old Charles was moved around from pillar to post, had bits and pieces removed from his body for people to crow over and show their friends. You've got to feel a bit sorry for him 😏!

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh absolutely. I don't think he was a great King, but I also don't think he was a terrible person. I wish he'd been treated much better.

[@susanmccormick6022]

As. Reenactor on the Carlist,I would say more than a little.

[@margaretlouise6200]

I can assure everyone that Charles was nowhere near his corpse. He may have hung around for a few days, but after that, gone.

[@Kari.F.]

Thankfully, he didn't know what happened to him after his death, but still: What's wrong with people who pluck pieces of a dead person as a souvenir, for the bragging rights!? Today those people would have been considered perverted sickos if they did that.

[@megthomas580]

I think Charles II & then James II’s lack of action in respect to their fathers reburial (I don’t think his other kids really had any power over the situation, and all but one died before 1660 was out) was probably political. The restoration required Charles II to officially forgive a lot of people who were involved in his father’s death, to make many concessions etc. it’s unlikely that the Puritan faction still hanging around would have been happy with a grand funeral to rebury the former king. Unfortunately Charles II or James II couldn’t really express any public grief about their fathers death, although the fact that Charles I was a very loving father suggests that they would have been devastated by his death (in fact a contemporary witness said that Charles II supposedly burst into tears and ran into his bedroom when he heard of his fathers death)

[@tonyk1584]

It would appear that during the Victorian Era, digging up an old king was a sure fire way to get ahead.

[@HistoryCalling]

It does seem to have been a popular pastime to dig up royals, doesn't it (thinking of Anne Boleyn here too, though that was done to restore the floor of the Chapel she's buried in)?

[@tonyk1584]

@@HistoryCalling ahead > "a head" LOL

[@barry_uk]

Thank you so very much for this account of history. I have always been a royalist and I find Charles's execution very wrong. I appreciate your video very much thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

And I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment :-)

[@Thatsmegigi]

Yet another great one! Thanks!

[@HistoryCalling]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your donation to the channel Gigi and I'm glad you liked hearing about Charles's corpse (icky though it sometimes was!) :-)

[@csh43166]

I agree with you - I don't ever want to find myself having to embalm a body, human or otherwise. For people who considered themselves so civilized and cultured, I find the mental picture of them wrenching one of Charles' teeth and the vertebra out particularly disturbing. Another interesting story, HC - I so enjoy your videos! Thank you for the always-quality content!

[@susanmccormick6022]

Look how Richard was treated!And,hoomans,civilized??!!

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. It's sick. Susan is correct too that Richard III was treated terribly after death. We humans aren't as civilised in many cases as we like to think we are.

[@csh43166]

@@susanmccormick6022 Exactly...

[@csh43166]

@@HistoryCalling I say that all the time. If only we were as civilized as we like to believe...

[@Thatsmegigi]

Another great one! I know so little about Charles I (other than, you know-he was beheaded) and this was interesting to listen to! Once again, you are entertaining me at work!

[@HistoryCalling]

Haha, well I won't tell your boss if you don't 😉

[@jennyrandall3880]

Than you for another well researched and fascinating video!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Jenny. This one took ages, so hopefully it does well. 37 minutes is insanely long for me.

[@Indra__]

I Love your videos 🖤 you present history in a very satisfying manner!

[@Bus_Driver_Jay]

The treatment of Charles post mortem really shows that even death isn’t good enough for some people to call things an end.

[@theoverunderthinker]

Yup. and Cromwell was another example of the same.

[@richhughes7450]

Thanks for that. Your narration is excellent

[@Elvertaw]

Thanks! Always appreciate your videos!

[@HistoryCalling]

THANK YOU SO MUCH ELVERTA for such a generous donation and I'm really glad you enjoy the videos. :-)

[@nathanfisher1826]

Great job very interesting! Thank you!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Nathan :-)

[@elizabethdunbar7160]

Always a fascinating, well researched, thoughtful presentation! Subscribed to your Instagram tonight to lend my support to your efforts.

[@amymahers2957]

I liked this video as I didn’t know much about Charles I. Thank you HC, really appreciate it.

[@71avalon36]

New to your channel and I subscribed. I love your videos! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Thanks for all your hard work!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much and welcome aboard :-)

[@thecaptleefanbatman9130]

I found this very interesting. Thank you for sharing this part of history.

[@HistoryCalling]

No worries. Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@michellebruce5092]

Hi, Awesome live history video I enjoyed it can't wait to see more soon. Your videos are always enjoyable and relaxing have a great day greetings from Canada 😀

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Michelle. Have a great day too.

[@jeffreymontgomery4091]

Wow! Again what a scholarly and at the same time entertainingly vibrant video you have been as so kind to bestow upon us! I love how you investigate parts of history that so many other historians, and/or other types of investigators seem to shy away from or ignore completely. I have always had a bit of a fascination with the macabre side of things... Not entirely sure why, but perhaps its because I am constantly reminded of my own mortality and thus find comfort in the notion that our time on this here Earth (third rock from the sun) is limited just as much as those long before us and surely to those long after us. Yes, I do find that desecration of a corpse repugnant to say the least, yet I am once again reminded that many others (and not just in our own time) have been every bit as curious about that other side of life (that is death). Thanks again so very much, you were able to scratch that "itch" I have had for quite some time!

[@HistoryCalling]

No worries and you're not alone in finding this stuff interesting. I find from my viewer numbers and comments that lots of people are.

[@globallou]

I would love to hear more about what actually lead up to the execution of Charles - whether he really was such an awful monarch compared to those that came before him, and whether he actually showed much concern for his subjects and the running of the realm with justice etc.

[@HistoryCalling]

I might do a video on his reign in the future, if people seem into the Stuarts. It's always lovely to get a break from the Plantagenets and Tudors, much as I love them too.

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@HistoryCalling Love the crazy Plantagenet dynasty & the Stuarts.But the Tudors?No thanks.

[@angriella]

He really was a lovely guy,and didn't deserve what happened to him, his murder remains a stain on British justice..

[@seltaeb3302]

Just read non fiction books penned by British history writers like Alison Weir & many more. Books are the best for accurate facts based on evidence.

[@seltaeb3302]

​@@angriella lovely guy? He was an arrogant King who wished to rule by divine right as all other monarchs had done before, but we now had a Parliament that wanted to represent the people & run the country. When Charles II was enthroned he no longer could rule by divine right but Parliament did in his name. Read some books on the subject & get the full picture.

[@jamesmackey2120]

Hi HC, great to watch this for a second time and give it a big thumbs up. Though I regularly go through your back catalogue and re-watch your videos. Always enlightening. Talking of Charles II and asking why he didn’t re-inter his father, I re-call you raised the same question of Mary I and Elizabeth I and as to why they didn’t move their respective mothers? But back to this presentation, thanks again for an informative video on such an unusual subject. 👍🏻

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks James. In Elizabeth's case, I think it was for political reasons and not wanting to draw attention to the question marks over her legitimacy. In Mary and Charles's cases, I think they meant to and then just never got around to it, which was very human of them to be fair.

[@fibrowarrior6360]

I Love your channel! You do the Best Research of Anyone. 💖🌹👑

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much! 😊 It takes ages to do, so it's always lovely when it's appreciated.

[@raeannuria5691]

Well done you! Awesome vid!!

[@davidlancaster8152]

You know I love your work. The volume on this is very low. Have to use close caption and that's not as good as your narration makes your videos 1000 times better. Good topic. Thanks 👍

[@chrisbanks6659]

A big 'Wotcha' to HC. It's been a long day of attrition up a step-ladder and am a bit 'cream-crackered'. But... I will most certainly be watching this later - being Stuarts related (my new favourite subject). Thank you in perpetuity for your continued efforts. I like the eclecticism of it all 🤗😄

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Chris. Yes, I'm certainly partial to a bit of eclecticism. It keeps life interesting :-)

[@jldisme]

Thank you for the video. Gruesome, but interesting.

[@HistoryCalling]

'Gruesome but interesting' - I could almost make that the tagline of my channel 😅

[@jldisme]

@@HistoryCalling lol. Only sometimes.

[@sueamos3860]

This was very interesting thank you

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Sue. Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@nancyM1313]

Tfsharing History Calling~👑🍃👑 I always enjoy and learn from your videos. I appreciate all the hard work you do to bring us your wonderful uploads. Cheers from New York🇺🇸❤

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Nancy. I hope you got to see the Tudors' exhibition in the Met recently. I was sad not to be able to go. (I was chatting to someone else in the comments of another video about that exhibition actually and hope it wasn't you. If it was, sorry about the repetitious comment).

[@nancyM1313]

@@HistoryCalling No worries. I am so close to the Museum and I missed it too. Historical Palace has wonderful stuff about Hampton Court. Have a good day👌🏼

[@rexy5586]

Another great historical presentation. Thank you for informing us of English history.

[@HistoryCalling]

Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@averiemaddox6493]

I wish you had a show on The History Channel. Love your videos!

[@HistoryCalling]

Aww, thank you so much :-) Me too!

[@michaelmagnus9]

The "history" part of The History Channel is deader than any inhabitant of St. George's.

[@Dandelionsinthesky]

What a fascinating topic!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you :-)

[@kiernan415]

As usual, that was equally informative and entertaining. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these videos. The one thing about this particular tomb that has continued to boggle is how one (and only one) of Anne's children's' remains ended up there? It seems like the tomb is not easily accessible and would be quite a bit of work to get to it simply to inter a baby at a later date that has no direct relation to the other three occupants. My best guess would be that the vault was opened again for another reason and the baby was interred there out of convenience, but ???? If anyone has any theories on how or why that happened, I'd love to hear them.

[@HistoryCalling]

My best guess (and this is all that it is) is that perhaps Anne was staying at the Castle when she lost the baby and so it was more convenient than usual to bury it there. The baby would have been Charles I's great-grandchild, so there is some link there at least, even if is fairly distant. Maybe the tomb was more easily accessible then too (again, just speculation)?

[@angriella]

At the restoration things were by no means stable, Charles 2 loved his father, and did want to bury him properly, but the Stuarts were perrenially short on funding, and should things turn pear shaped again, Charles 1's body was hidden from those who might desecrate it. This, I feel is the main reason, and it makes sense to me. Poor Charles was buried in a place that meant a lot to him in life, and I can ask for no more. He is remembered with love by many.

[@Wosiewose]

I was wondering, are there any records that might indicate which of Anne's babies was the one buried with great-grandfather? Such as, records of Anne's having given birth or suffered a miscarriage while at Windsor Castle?

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@Calla-sl8gd]

I've wondered about Charles I's burial in the same vault with Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, and I have my own take on the matter, and it being left where it was. I think it's the same reason Elizabeth I never exhumed the body of her mother Anne Boleyn. At the time Elizabeth came to power, her mother had been dead for 20 years, and they had been turbulent years. I think Elizabeth may have realized that the removal of her mother's body from St. Peter ad Vincula would have stirred up emotions better left alone. I can't help but wonder if Charles II felt the same about the removal and reburial of his father. Maybe Charles I did deserve his own tomb, but the feelings that led him to be beheaded were for some not dead and gone. Better that Charles I lay quietly in Windsor than a barely healed wound disturbed. Thanks for the video!

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, that's possible but I also think he was buried in a proper tomb, in a royal chapel within one of the main royal residences, so actually his gravesite was appropriately grand, especially as there are lots of other royals in the chapel too. Charles II was always short of money as well, so I think practicalities interfered too.

[@timhazeltine3256]

I believe so. A fair number of her subjects believed she was illegitimate because Henry VII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, was alive when he married Anne Boleyn. Re-burying her mother in grand style would have brought that to the fore. After all, Mary Queen of Scot's case for replacing her cousin was partially based on Elizabeth's illegitimacy.

[@iamelisabee]

Thank you for such a great video. This is a fascinating period in time I wish I knew about more in depth. Do you happen to have any plans to do a series on 17th century England (Restoration, Interregnum, the Glorious Revolution, etc.)?

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. No plans for a series, but I do have a video on how James II lost the throne if you want to check it out and my video on spares who became heirs covers some Stuart history too.

[@TimothyForbesXXI]

Incredible video of a man who's commemorated as a martyr at All Saints' Church in Ashmont (Boston), MA. I'm glad Cromwell wasn't a monster toward him in death, but sad to see what happened in the 19th century.

[@savagedarksider]

I asked the KZbin channel Kings of France do they know you and they replied yes, they watch your content.

[@HistoryCalling]

Hey, as long as they're not stealing it like so many other scummy people on YT do, then I'm happy to have their support (I rarely do anything on French royalty mind you, so there shouldn't be much of an overlap there).

[@beth7935]

@@HistoryCalling Kings of France is awesome! I can't imagine she'd steal stuff from other people- like, I can't read minds, lol, but she obviously does a lot of research. She does cover a bit of non-French stuff now, but it's almost never British- she's Flemish, & that's not her area of expertise or her focus. If you're ever interested in French monarchy tho, her videos are brilliant!

[@aleksstosich]

I can still go exactly to the spots where a childhood pet was buried. Pretty sure I'd remember where I left a king.

[@shawnbane585]

Thanks!

[@HistoryCalling]

THANK YOU SO MUCH SHAWN. Hope you enjoyed this week's gory offering. :-)

[@terryroots5023]

Fascinating, it does appear that Charles was treated relatively respectfully after his death. I had expected Parliament to have treated it harshly, as had happened to Cromwell on the restoration. Halford let himself down a bit, didn't he?

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I'm amazed his head wasn't on a spike somewhere. I suppose they must have felt that would be 'overkill' (bad pun intended).

[@angriella]

@@HistoryCalling I'd call it guilt, they knew he was innocent of the charges brought against him. They murdered him to save their own skins.

[@jasonmaccoul]

Great history lesson, and I liked very much the Henry VIiI and Queen Jane portraits that came alive! I am a bit surprised that souvenirs were not taken from Henry VIII’s coffin since it was exposed, but maybe not as identifiable.

[@susanmccormick6022]

Surprised & pleased that Cromwell's group permitted such respect to be shown for the King they murdered.Shame he didn't haunt the killers.

[@Lassisvulgaris]

The story of Cromwell's body is quite interesting.....

[@HistoryCalling]

You never know. Maybe he did!

[@edithengel2284]

The execution of the king was a terrible shock to people. (It's said that immediately after the decapitation, the crowd went completely silent in shock.). I'm sure that there must have been many even among Cromwell's followers that didn't approve or felt uncomfortable about it. Perhaps the respect observed was partly due to a fear of inspiring or augmenting a negative reaction among the pubic.

[@vernsnith2230]

Well when Charles II came to the throne, all who signed the death warrant of King Charles I were rounded up, tried, and, many suffered the terrible penalty of treason. Even Oliver Cromwell was removed from the Abbey and, though dead, suffered the terrible fate of a traitor. In part the people were very happy to once again have a king on the throne after several years of Puritan rule. The king's welcome back home to England/London was one of the greatest celebrations ever seen in British history.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, all true. It was indeed quite the party when he got back.

[@Stephano_v_Bove__]

I LOVE your videos! I love the royal history of Britain, it’s fascinating. Are you of Scottish national origin?

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Stephano. I'm from Northern Ireland, but I do have lots of Scots in my family tree.

[@Stephano_v_Bove__]

@@HistoryCalling That’s so cool! I’m part English w ancestry coming from Plymouth and Cornwall, and my grandma is a direct descendant from a Mayflower voyager hailing from the Stuart era. I love learning about Britain and this era bc it tells me about the people & past that I come from. 😍

[@silvertbird1]

Very thorough. To me the most astonishing part of this entire affair is that Great Britain restored the monarchy. But then I’m an American, so the idea of monarchy is foreign to me. Charles was a Stuart, I believe, and while my English history is imperfect, the Prince Regent (present in 1813) was Hanoverian, so probably felt no connection to him, certainly no familial attachments. The Prince of wales present in 1888, who I believe would be of Saxe Coburg Gotha, certainly showed respect. I personally never like to see any grave or vault opened, other than if essential to solve a crime, and the idea of opening historical figures graves just to poke around isn’t very pleasant. However, as a Christian I know it’s only the earthly remains and the spirit/soul departed upon physical death. Still, I agree the surgeon in 1813 was disrespectful. Of course everything pales to what the French did to the dead during their revolution.

[@pelicanus4154]

You had me at "coffin goop."

[@keiththorpe9571]

Sir Purbeck Temple is a hard one to get a bead on. I've tried to research more about him, as I wanted to include him into a flashback scene in the upcoming sequel to my novel: "The Children of Nowhere". However, I've not been able to find much on him online. He was reported as having been a sort of "Scarlet Pimpernel" character, part of a loose grouping of royalist conspirators who sought to effect the king's escape from Cromwell's clutches either before or during his trial. He later testified against several of the regicides after the restoration of Charles II to the throne in 1660.

[@HistoryCalling]

He had such a great name though. Perfect for a character in a novel.

[@keiththorpe9571]

@@HistoryCalling Yeah, that's one of the reasons I want to use him. Might just have to make up some stuff about him.

[@susanmccormick6022]

I think I like Mr Purbeck Temple.Good luck with your book,Keith.I write also,mostly for pleasure but had a couple of things in print.Actually,let me know when it's published because I would like to read it.BTW,u have not written anything unless you have 3 cats supervising every word!

[@bevinboulder5039]

The Parliamentarians certainly treated Charles' remains better than they treated the Royal regalia of the monarchy. Pretty amazing actually. I really enjoyed this and knew nothing on this subject prior to watching. Thank you!

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I was amazed at how well the body was treated too. Those Parliamentarians - they were full of surprises!

[@beastieber5028]

Good evening to history calling from Bea

[@HistoryCalling]

Hi Bea. Hope you're in the mood for a slightly gory video :-)

[@FandersonUfo]

Cromwell's corpse had some travails as well - ty for dead body content

[@HistoryCalling]

He did indeed. I've debated a video on that actually, but I think KZbin would draw the line at photographs of decapitated corpses. They're getting increasingly strict on what can and cannot be shown.

[@FandersonUfo]

@@HistoryCalling - your narration and some old illustrations should be enough - love to see you do the definitive vid - 🛸✨

[@hectorpascal]

Charles biggest problem was that - like his father - he passionately believed in the Divine Right of Kings. They believed they were literally "above the law", and had been chosen by God to rule as they thought fit. In an era when religion was FAR more important than today, this was always going to bring him into conflict with a Parliament, most of whom passionately repudiated his belief. This probably why nobody really knew what to do with his body after his execution. At least he was eventually safely buried in a royal grave (albeit with Henry VIII and Jane Seymour in their "temporary" vault) - unlike the unlucky Richard III, whose body was completely lost for 530 years!

[@tasanijanus7092]

No sandwiches today for me. "Perverted pleasure and coffin goop." Well played History Calling, well played... Imagine being referred to as a rascally quack physician in 1649. Can't be good

[@HistoryCalling]

Probably for the best. There are several drawings and paintings of a decapitated corpse coming up in the next half hour :-)

[@tasanijanus7092]

Life is stranger than fiction.

[@woodenbeast9337]

Once again a great episode. It was like a Tim Burton meets Vincent Price story. Is it Coughing Goop or Coffin Goop? j/k

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh sorry - coffin goop! Your comment made me smile though as it reminds of people a couple of weeks ago who thought I was saying Peterberg Cathedral instead of Peterborough (pronounced Peter-burrah), because they mistook my hard c at the start of cathedral for a hard g at the end of Peterborough. Honestly I'm still not sure I was able to convince them that I do actually know how to say Peterborough :-)

[@savagedarksider]

I was reading these two alternate history novels- One has Richard III win at the battle of bosworth- and the other has Edward V lives. In the second story Edward V is pretty much A figurehead with the power being weld by Elizabeth Woodville and her family. She locked up Anne Neville and Edward of Middleham whereas in the first story Richard III becomes one successful king(...) Down the line he ended up remarrying and having A son; this son would marry Catherine of Aragon.

[@HistoryCalling]

Hmm, an interesting alternate history (in both cases).

[@savagedarksider]

@@HistoryCalling Ah, yes. I see Catherine would have come to England regardless of the outcome of the battle of bosworth.

[@user-zm3zx2ll6r]

what novels are these?

[@savagedarksider]

@@user-zm3zx2ll6r That was A typo (...) I was so much in A rush I put down Novels.

[@user-zm3zx2ll6r]

@@savagedarksider ah ok, what were they then? where they videos or books or something? i'd be interested to find out more because i love learning about richard iii and the wars of the roses

[@tstuart7333]

Three (3) wish to go back in time. May I inquire as to what may be your personal choice? This surly is a true history insight with regards to Charles I. Thank you young lady.

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh I'd never be able to choose where to go in history, except maybe to see my parents and grandparents when they were young, but as for famous events and people, I just don't know. I need a Tardis so that I can have limitless trips!

[@jeffcampbell1555]

Can you do an episode about how James I's body was lost until discovered by the dean of Westminster in the vault of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York? I'm fascinated how such a thing could have happened.

[@ns-wz1mx]

very interesting HC! it amazes me what they used to do back then. i also agree bone snatching is quite depraved 🤣🤣

[@HistoryCalling]

It is isn't it? Who would want to do that? It's so ghoulish.

[@ns-wz1mx]

@@HistoryCalling absolutely!! plus, i’m on the superstitious side.. i’d be afraid of getting cursed or a non earthly attachment hahaha

[@SurferJoe1]

Another stomach-churning masterpiece from KZbin's Mistress of Macabre! You really need to add a 'History Calling' airline sickness bag to your online store. I'll buy 'em by the dozen and be here every week! (I'm also eyeing that Oliver Cromwell's head keychain!)

[@HistoryCalling]

Haha, if I get a store off the ground (no pun intended), I'll think about that :-)

[@nealmcgloin2984]

As soon as the axe fell and the head was then lifted,strangely, there was apparently no cheers. I feel that the people who witnessed the sad event knew that the country was entering more uncertain times. As for King Charles I hope he did get his crown in heaven. 😢

[@vickynay9863]

Oh! This would be great to run past a KZbinr called "Ask a Mortician". She is really great! I bet she could help you answer your questions!

[@Mason879]

I love your videos. Well Done another great one 👍🏽 off to check to see if I’m subscribed to your patron. I’m sure I am but if I’m not, I will be soon 😊

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Mason. I hope to see/chat with you over there :-)

[@EarlyMusicDiva]

In the very well-done 'Crown and Country' series, the episode on Windsor contains a small segment in which HRH Prince Edward (now the Duke of Edinburgh) gives his commentary while leaning on a large, very old wooden table in the castle - which he mentions as being the table on which Charles I's body was laid. I suppose that Edward, having grown up in such close proximity to so many historical places and objects, probably was accustomed to such things - but I must admit that watching him leaning on that table that had held the decapitated body of one of his mother's predecessors, gave me the shivers!

[@joshyishot]

Someone get her the original 1678 edition! 😆 Another amazingly researched and cited video. Ahhhhmazing

[@HistoryCalling]

My sentiments exactly. I like to have the original source to work with :-)

[@redemptivepete]

One consideration that I don't think is generally known is that Windsor Castle was a Parliamentary stronghold throughout the Civil War. A good deal of arms and munitions were stored there and given that the Royalist 'Capital' was not far away in Oxford the Thames Valley was an important battleground. That being so and given the victor's attitude to the funeral I very much doubt time would have been accorded to stitch the head back onto the torso. As you say the Parliament/Army were content to be respectful but make the minimum fuss and find a secure burial site to try to forget him seems to have been the approach.

[@HistoryCalling]

Good point. It did indeed make for a handy burial site for that reason.

[@simontaylor2319]

Charles II was always short of money, perhaps he had more important matters on his mind.....Rhanks v much, fascinating account & well researched

[@English_Dawn]

He went from a corruptible throne to an incorruptible throne. Carolus Rex.

[@HistoryCalling]

He did indeed. Great final words.

[@MissMentats]

Wait I was always under the vague impression that Charles lost his head a few centuries after the tudors…. This is like what, 100ish years? Wow

[@HistoryCalling]

Yup, 1649. About 113 years after Anne Boleyn (if my quick mental maths is correct).

[@johnkeviljr9625]

Halford was apparently a sanctimonious rogue. The vault was distressing to see. I would have hoped for better "lodgings" for those folks of note. I find cerecloth fascinating. Thanks for a great video.

[@seltaeb3302]

So many questions..

[@AK-dw8jo]

Missed your voice 😉❤

[@xxxAmpere]

It is interesting that his body was treated so well immediately after death, especially when you think about what happened at some of the older burials. Maybe Cromwell and Co didn’t want to draw political ire from the rest of the world and/or remaining loyalists? I remain a little surprised that the current monarch chose to keep Charles for his regnal name. Even as an American the name King Charles makes me think of the execution of Charles I.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, the body treatment isn't necessarily what you would expect, is it? Regarding Charles III, I suppose it would be very strange to change names at this stage in life and we're all so used to calling him Charles.

[@beth7935]

@@HistoryCalling I totally get him not changing his name at this late date, but what I've _never_ been able to understand is why his parents named him Charles to begin with! "Ok, he's the future king, so we better name him after a previous king... Charles I was executed & they got rid of the monarchy entirely, & Charles II is mostly known for having loads of mistresses- yep, sounds great!"

[@angriella]

@@beth7935 Both previous Charless were incredibly brave men, and Charles 1 was an absolute love! Brave, faithful, resilient...all virtues you'd want your son to have. I think our late Queen had a fondness for Charles 1, and who can blame her?

[@beth7935]

@@angriella That's interesting! I was thinking of it totally differently, as in "how would this appeal to the British people?", but if they're thinking in terms of previous monarchs that they personally admire as people, then yeah, there's a lot to like about both of them- Charles II is one of my fave English monarchs, & Charles I seems like a thoroughly good person, just not politically skilled enough. Like, Elizabeth I was a far more successful monarch, but I'm not sure if she'd be the nicest person to be friends with. And since they ARE the monarchy, I guess a king who fought & died trying to uphold the monarchy, against the dreadful people who wanted to abolish it, is more of a hero than the "failed king" he's generally seen as. Not that I have any clue what the late Queen & Prince Philip might've thought; I don't know much about the current royals.

[@annmoore6678]

Personally, I plan to be recomposed into a tree. At the same time, I respect people's desire to treat human remains with dignity, preserving them with as much respect as possible, simply to honor their descendants and those who cared about them. What bothers me the most about how Charles I's body was treated was the hypocritical way the future George IV and his companions dealt with the exhumation of four deceased royals. They pretended to handle everything in the most detached and objective manner, simply to confirm the identity of the four bodies, and to mark the graves. But all the while, they were silently assenting to the ghoulish process of harvesting souvenirs that served no useful purpose; they were just taken to satisfy morbid curiosity. I'm glad the future Edward VII tried to make amends by returning those bits of Charles I to his tomb.

[@annmoore6678]

Speaking of conserving all our bits for honorable burial, my husband had appendicitis while we were teaching in China. I got to use my limited Chinese to discuss the situation with the doctors. After the surgery, which took place in Kunming, the surgeons brought him his obviously very inflamed appendix on a little pink facial tissue to see if he wanted to keep it (in accordance with an ancient Chinese tradition that you keep all your parts to be buried with you when the time comes). Needless to say he declined, but my son did take a photo of the bright red bit of flesh, ensconced on a bit of tissue, and the photo remains today somewhere in the family archives.

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh wow! I have several relations who no longer have their appendixes either, but I don't believe any were ever offered their bits on a platter after the surgery. The only souvenirs they have are their scars :-) Also I agree that Edward VII probably comes out of this whole story the best.

[@aliengrey6052]

Well Oliver Cromwell did a superb job on him. Pity he isn’t around today to deal with these elites and politicians.

[@charlesmaximus9161]

God save and rest His Majesty, King Charles I the Martyr. ✝️🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👑

[@angriella]

Amen!

[@OC35]

In 1977 I had to visit the Dean of Windsor at the Chapel. As he was showing me in to his private quarters, he pointed out a table, saying that that was the table where Charle's head was sewn back on.

[@sassenspeyghel4155]

Well, if he said so!

[@ladyofthelake93]

They apparently did a great job of embalming him. Assuming the sketch is accurate, he looks surprisingly good.

[@HistoryCalling]

He does, doesn't he? I was very surprised at how recognisable he was.

[@1aikane]

I read King Charles II got revenge on the body of Oliver Cromwell later. He ordered that Cromwell be dug up and then they tore it to pieces and showed it all over the UK after the show

[@alexrafe2590]

Not exactly @1aikane. Charles II had Cromwell’s body dug up, hanged and then drawn and quartered (I think, certainly hanged, not quite as sure about drawing and quartering, but I believe that was the standard playbook for executions for treason at that time). And his head was definitely set on a post on London Bridge.

[@1aikane]

@@alexrafe2590 we're saying the same thing using different words

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, you're both essentially correct. Cromwell was indeed dug up and 'executed' after death, with his head displayed on the bridge for decades after.

[@sarapanzarella97]

I was just listening to a podcast interviewing Philappa Langley. In it they mention Richard III’s son - and question if maybe his son’s death was suspicious. I can’t find anything on KZbin (my main source for history now 😂) about his son- maybe a subject for a future video? ❤️

[@ellenbryn]

I think you're probably right about the embalming, but there is one factor that might explain a delay: it was probably near or even below freezing when Charles was executed, and was certainly around freezing during his funeral, according to your sources describing heavy snow. I won't belabor anecdotal evidence except to say that I can handle near-freezing temperatures for a little while in a flannel shirt, and I expect someone who lived before central heating during the Little Ice Age had more cold tolerance than most of us, even if he was somewhat pampered (not so much he couldn't lead troops in battle) -and thin. No central heating means the hall where Charles' bosy lqy would have kept him cool as well; they were hardly likely to build a roaring fire in there. (I bet the Puritans had something against warm fires anyway; too self-indulgent.) Whereas I think both William and Henry died in warmer seasons, although I can't remember for certain. Think about bodies of people caught in blizzards - like meat in your fridge, to put it bluntly, they can last a while. Probably that just made the embalmer's job easier, as the body wouldn't decay while he was working on it. But it's a thought.

[@pheart2381]

Or maybe because of the cold they considered embalming unnecessary or a brief tidying up adequate.

[@HistoryCalling]

I thought about the cold too and presumably that did indeed add to the preservation of the body. I've heard of people dying on Everest for instance and their bodies stay there, pretty much perfectly preserved for a long time. Regarding Henry VIII, he also died at the end of January.

[@mariasol780]

@@HistoryCallingI believe Henry’s body decomposed faster because he already had a rotten ulcer and was obese. All those gases building up needed to escape even though it was winter time.

[@od1452]

donno Doc. Should I be worried about your recurring interest in old burials ? lol. I confess it always surprised me that Charles' head didn't wind up on a Pike displayed until it rotted. I can believe a King ( especially raised in a stable country) would believe in Divine Right .... but poor Charles seems to have been unable to appreciate who he was dealing with at his trial. . .. I agree with you .. I'm sure I couldn't consume enough Guinness to make me forget where I buried a king !! ...especially in that Chapel. The grim grave robbers remind me of the Mummy Parties of the 19th Century... ugh ! I'd rather watch TV.

[@HistoryCalling]

Haha, honestly I actually do so many burial/disinterment videos because it's clear my audience likes them, although I am genuinely interested in the history of mourning which is in the same broad field of death studies I guess. I was surprised about him not having his head spiked too, but grateful that that didn't happen to him. Love the Guinness reference by the way. :-)

[@angriella]

Charles knew alright! He knew that they had no legal right to try him, and to bow to their wishes would be to endanger further the rights of the people, even at the cost of his own life he stood firm. Brave, brave man..

[@ronaldmessina4229]

Murder is a mortal sin, period…especially when the victim was innocent