The anniversary walk. The thud of an axe – the beheading of the King – on this day in 1649 didn’t just end a man’s life. It also brought the curtain down on absolute monarchy in this sceptred isle.
So, yes, on the day Charles I was executed at the Banqueting Hall we explore the events of the Civil War and Restoration in Westminster.
On January 30th, 1649 Charles I stepped out onto the scaffold erected outside the Banqueting Hall. Ironically, the Reubens ceilings inside symbolised the Divine Right of the Stuarts to reign as God’s anointed rulers. Here Charles collected himself before his execution.
Westminster witnessed many of the events that defined the 17th-century. Charles I’s failed coup against Parliament, the trial and execution of Charles I as well as the Regicides. Charles I and Cromwell had their palaces here, and Parliament and the infamous Star Chamber met here.
This walk takes you back there. We follow the epic events of the 1640s – 1660s.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
NIMBLE THOUGHT CAN JUMP BOTH SEA AND LAND
Not in London? Don’t despair. Kevin’s running this one’s virtual stable mate – The Civil War, Restoration & Great Fire of London – in the evening. Shakespeare again: when the weary sun hath made a golden set…the bright track of his fiery star will usher in all of the above. All of it fiery in its own right!
Graham –
Well I arranged my day around this once-a-year tour and I waited for 45 minutes and then gave up. Apparently the guide did eventually show up. Very disappointing especially as I would have thought this would have been a tour the guide would have been looking forward to giving as it is/was a special occasion. It also messed up my whole day.