12 May 1641
Strafford executed

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Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, is executed. Called back from Ireland by Charles I after the disastrous Bishops' Wars (see 20 August 1640), he was arrested and tried by Parliament. At his trial in March 1641, he defends himself well against trumped-up charges of treason, but the Commons passes a Bill that simply declares his guilt and sentences him to death. After much hesitation, Charles I signs Strafford's death warrant.

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The king had offered concessions, then plotted Strafford's escape by garrisoning the Tower with his own men; conspired with the northern army to free him; begged the Lords for clemency; held back signing his consent to the execution, until, persuaded that the sacrifice of Strafford would save much innocent blood, he clutched at this excuse and, with tears, signed. Laud, in the Tower, wrote in his diary that the king they had both strenuously served 'knew not how to be ... great'.

From A Century of Troubles by Stevie Davies (Channel 4 Books)

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