Photograph of part of a painting of Charles I on horseback by Anthony van Dyck. Born 19 November 1600, the fourth child of King James VI of Scotland and I of England. In 1625 he became King of England. He believed he ruled by divine right and was answerable only to God, which brought him into conflict with those who believed in Parliament's right to govern and led to civil war. He was executed at Whitehall in London on 30th January, 1649.