On the 30^th January 1649, King Charles I was led onto a scaffold erected outside the Banqueting House on Whitehall to be executed.

For over 50 years, on the last Sunday in January, the soldiers of the King’s Army, the Royalist part of the English Civil War Society, have commemorated this event.  The soldiers you see today are all volunteers and members of the King’s Army, which exists to re-enact the wars of King Charles I and Parliament during the years 1642-1649.  Tragically, Charles was eventually defeated and after detention and a show trial, put to death.  A black mark on the clock above Horse Guards at 2.00 pm remembers the time of the King’s death.

The Army will form up on the Mall at 11.15. The march will commence at 11.30 and make its way in funeral order down the Mall and onto Horse Guards, following Charles’ last route.  On Horse Guards, a religious drumhead service is held, a colour is trooped and blessed, the Oath of Loyalty is administered and awards and commissions are presented.  The wreath, which ‘Remembers’ His Majestie’s horrid murder, is then trooped around the whole army before being taken by the honour guard through Horse Guards Arch and across to the Banqueting House and laid where the Horrid deed was carried out.

Whilst this takes place the Army remove their funeral dress and resume a martial order before retracing their route back to St James’s Palace with drums beating and colours flying.  Here, with great shouts and acclamations to their King, they brave the rebels to come out of the city and fight them in the year ahead.

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