page_title: Charles I of England
section_title: Early life
hierarchical_section_title: Charles I of England / Early life
context_page_description: Charles I of England, was the monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. He was a son of James I of England. He was married to Henrietta Maria of France.
context_section_description: Charles was born at Dunfermline Palace in Fife, Scotland, before his father came to the throne of England. He had an elder brother, Henry, who was clever, handsome, popular, and rich, and next in line for the throne.  Henry died suddenly in 1612, and his brother Charles was made Prince of Wales in his place, showing that he was now the heir to the throne.  Charles was less suited to be king than Henry had been, because he was small and weak and not as clever.  After his brother died, the person he was closest to was George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, who was also his father's best friend.  The Duke of Buckingham was very powerful and rich, but was not popular with most common people.  He took Charles to Spain in the hope of finding him a Spanish princess as a bride, but they had a lot of problems on the journey and could not persuade the Spanish king to give them his daughter as a wife for Charles.  On the way home, they went to France, and there Charles met the French royal family.  The youngest of the French princesses was Henrietta Maria of France, and Charles later chose her to be his wife.
caption: Painting of Charles I
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