James 1 (James VI of Scotland) 1603-1625



James, son of Mary Queen of Scots, inherited the throne on the death of Elizabeth creating the Union of the Crowns.

Although a learned and thoughtful man his sense of absolution, disregarding parliament, laid grounds for the future Civil War.

*James was strongly opposed to smoking


Charles 1 1625-1649



Charles was a strong believer in the divine right of kings.  His marraige to a Catholic aroused Anglican suspicions, while his support for religious reforms further alienated puritans and others within the Church of England and the Scottish Presbyterians.

He attempted to arrest parliamentary leaders brought the crisis to a head in 1642.  In the ensuing cical War, Charles was ultimately defeated in 11645 by the organisational weakness of the royalists and the increasingly powerful, religiously inspired New Model Army.  Put to trial, Charles was executed in Whitehall in January 1649.

* Cromwell allowed Charles severed head to  be reattached to his body for burial ..what a guy!