The 368th Anniversary of the King's execution took place on Monday 30th January from 2 pm for 2:30 pm in the King Charles I Room, Kidderminster Town Hall, hosted by President Ian Sandall.
Photography tripods and cameras clicking. Enough shining chains of office to gladden the eyes of Fieldings' Auctioneers. The room was graced by the attendance of Cllr Mary Rayner, Mayor of Kidderminster, lighting up the room in her superb 1920’s outfit; the lovely beaming welcome of the Rev Rose Lawley, Team Rector of Kidderminster; Cllr Rose Bishop, Chair of Wyre Forest District Council; and Cllr Nicky Gale, Deputy Mayor. Also unable to be missed was the dapper and debonaire Peter Picken, who knows everyone, who talks to everyone, and who contributes so expertly to the organisation of the ceremony; journalists would be lost without him. Our Mr Kidderminster, if ever there were one. Under the Monarch's portrait stood the proud Doulton statue of King Charles I, donated so generously last year by Prof Jim Robinson. Brian Gittins suggested that the main photograph should be taken on the steps leading to the huge table and chairs and the panelled section of the room - an excellent suggestion from a photographer's point of view. Brian had attended an Old Carolians Presidents' Dinner held in the King Charles Room, and I wondered whether it might be a good idea in the future. Plenty of comments on the steps to bring huge grins to the assembled ranks, and camera flashes that lit up the occasion.
Rose Lawley read the Prayer Book Collect for King Charles I, a martyr of the Church of England. She spoke of his personal faith and his devotion to the Church. He was opposed by the more extreme Protestants, but he imposed his Royal Will via his Divine Right, and refused to countenance the peaceful options that might have avoided war. On many statues of the King is the word 'Remember'. Old Carolians certainly do remember a brave and gallant monarch, who lived by an unshakeable religious faith and who left us a legacy of which to be proud.
Ian Sandall, President of the Old Carolians Association, spoke of that legacy, the Town's Charter and the foundation of the school. Charles exercised an authority which today, perhaps, we see exemplified in the new inauguration of President Donald Trump. Charles did not deserve the regicide with which he met such bravery on 30th January 1649. The goodbyes to his children on that day; the two shirts worn so that he did not show cowardice by shivering; the masses of soldiers hiding the execution; the King's words expressing regret that he had not saved Strafford; and the famous phrase 'I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown'. He now rests in peace in the special Henry VIII Vault in St George's Chapel, Windsor. A special mausoleum was sadly never built.
The day ended with the placing of the wreath under the King's portrait and more photographs to set the seal on another memorable occasion.
'Captain' Peter Vaughan, World Affairs Correspondent