This so-called "Rump Parliament" named one hundred and thiry-five
persons to constitute a high court of justice to try the King on a
charge of treason against the nation; the chief judge or presiding
officer was John Bradshaw. Less than half of these judges were
present throughout the trial. Of those who signed the death warrant
Oliver Cromwell was one. Prince Charles, the King's son, then a
refugee in France, made every effort to save his father. He sent a
blank paper, bearing his signature and seal, to the judges, offering
to bind himself to any conditions they might insert, provided they
would spare his father's life; but no answer was returned.
The King was brought into court in Westminster Hall, London; a week
later the trial was over. The judges pronounced sentence of death on
"Charles Stuart, King of England," as a "tyrant, traitor, murderer,
and public enemy."
Throughout the trial Charles bore himself with dignity and
self-possession. The crisis had brought out the best elements of his
nature. He was beheaded January 30, 1649, in London in front of the
royal palace of Whitehall. "A great shudder ran through the crowd
that saw the deed, then came a shriek, and all immediately dispersed."
Tradition declares that Cromwell went secretly that night to see the
beheaded corpse. He looked steadfastly at it, shook his head, sighed
out the words "Cruel necessity!" and departed.[1]
[1] S. R. Gardiner's "Great Civil War," III, 604; and see in
Delaroche's works the picture of Cromwell looking at the King's
corpse.