The Men who Dared Execute Charles I by Charles Spencer, Review

[cinrit]

When Charles I, on trial for his life in the great medieval space of Westminster Hall, faced the 67 commissioners acting as his judges, their names were called. Bradshaw, as their president, was the first. He stood up.

The next name was Fairfax, the parliamentary commander-in-chief. No response. "He had more wit than to be here," rang out the voice of an unseen woman from the gallery – Lady Fairfax, no one doubted. Her heckle proved prophetic.

Later, when Lady Fairfax interrupted again from the ladies' gallery, Colonel Daniel Axtell, in command of the troops charged with keeping order, called to his men: "Down with the whores! Shoot them!"

Fortunately, as Charles Spencer remarks, they did not obey. But the soldiers did follow Axtell's urging to call out during the trial: "Justice! Execution!"

More: Killers of the King: the Men who Dared Execute Charles I by Charles Spencer, review: 'not original, but readable' - Telegraph

Cindy