High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I Totally Explained

Everything about High Court Of Justice For The Trial Of Charles I totally explained

The High Court of Justice is the name given to the court established by the Rump Parliament to try King Charles I of England. This was an ad hoc tribunal created specifically for the purpose of trying the king, although the same name was used again for subsequent courts.

Background

Following the second civil war, the army and the Independents in Parliament were determined that the King should be punished, but they didn't command a majority. Parliament debated whether to return the King to power and those who still supported Charles's place on the throne, mainly Presbyterians, tried once more to negotiate with him.
Furious that Parliament continued to countenance Charles as a ruler, the army marched on Parliament and conducted "Pride's Purge" (named after the commanding officer of the operation, Thomas Pride). On Wednesday December 6, Col. Pride’s Regiment of Foot took up position on the stairs leading to the House, while Nathaniel Rich’s Regiment of Horse provided backup. Pride himself stood at the top of the stairs. As MPs arrived, he checked them against the list provided to him. Troops arrested 45 Members of Parliament (MPs) and kept 146 out of parliament.
Only 75 were allowed in, and then only at the army's bidding. On 13 December 1648, the "purged" House of Commons of the ‘Rump Parliament’ broke off negotiations with the King. Two days later, the Council of Officers of the New Model Army voted that the King be moved to Windsor "in order to the bringing of him speedily to justice".

Establishing the court

In the middle of December, the King was moved from Windsor to London. The House of Commons passed a Bill setting up what was described as a High Court of Justice in order to try Charles I for high treason in the name of the people of England. The bill nominated 3 judges and 150 commissioners who were empowered to try the King. Among the commissioners was Oliver Cromwell. The Solicitor General John Cooke was appointed prosecutor.
   The House of Lords refused to pass the bill and consequently, it didn't receive the Royal Assent. However, the Parliamentary leaders and the Army pressed on with the trial anyway. The House of Commons initially presented it as an ordinance - the form used during the course of the civil war - but once passed it was referred to as an "Act", marking the transition of England from monarchy to republic.
   The intention to place the King on trial was re-affirmed on 6 January by a vote of 29 to 26 with An Act of the Commons Assembled in Parliament. At the same time, the number of commissioners was reduced to 135 – any twenty of whom would form a quorum In view of the historic issues involved, both sides based themselves on surprisingly technical legal grounds. Charles maintained that the House of Commons on its own couldn't try anybody, and so he refused to plead.Thirty witnesses were summoned, but some were later excused. The evidence was heard in the Painted Chamber rather than Westminster Hall. King Charles wasn't present to hear the evidence against him and he'd no opportunity to question witnesses. He had no right to however, as he hadn't entered a plea.The court proceeded as if the king had pleaded guilty (pro confesso). This was the standard legal practice of the time. The witnesses were heard by the judges for 'the further and clearer satisfaction of their own judgement and consciences.'
   The King was found guilty at a public session on Saturday 27 January 1649 and sentenced to death. To show their agreement with the sentence, all of the 67 Commissioners who were present rose to their feet. During the rest of that day and on the following day, signatures were collected for his death warrant. This was eventually signed by 59 of the Commissioners, including 2 who hadn't been present when the sentence was passed.
   King Charles was beheaded on a scaffold in front of the Banqueting House of the Palace of Whitehall on January 30, 1649.

Aftermath

Following the execution of Charles I, there was further large-scale fighting in Ireland, and England, known collectively as the third civil war. A year and a half after the execution, Prince Charles was proclaimed King Charles II by the Scots and he led an invasion of England where he was defeated at the Battle of Worcester. This marked the end of the civil wars.

The High Court of Justice during the Interregnum

The name continued to be used during the interregnum. James Earl of Cambridge was tried and executed on 9 March 1649 by the 'High Court of Justice' although there's no apparent constitutional authority for this Court
In subsequent years the High Court of Justice was reconstituted under the following Acts.

March 1650 An Act for Establishing an High Court of Justice.

August 1650 An Act giving further Power to the High Court of Justice

December 1650 An Act for Establishing an High Court of Justice within the Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Huntington, Cambridge, Lincoln, and the Counties of the Cities of Norwich and Lincoln, and within the Isle of Ely.

November 1653 An Act For The Establishing An High Court of Justice. On 30 June,1654, Peter Vowell,and John Gerard were tried for High Treason by the High Court of Justice sitting in Westminster Hall. They had planned to assassinate Oliver Cromwell and restore Charles II as king. The plotters were found guilty and executed.

Restoration

After the Restoration in 1660, all who had been active in the court that had tried and sentenced Charles I were targets for the new King. Most of those that were still alive attempted to flee the country. With one exception, those that were captured were executed or sentenced to life imprisonment.

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