Today is Wednesday, January 20th, 2021.

On this day in 1649, Charles I of England was brought to parliamentary court to face charges of high crimes and treason stemming from the English Civil War.

Welcome to Today in True Crime, a Spotify original from Parkast.

I'm Vanessa Richardson, and today I'm joined by our guest host, Carter Roy of Conspiracy

theories, another Spotify original from

Parkast. He'll also be hosting our upcoming special on the Kennedys. Carter will discuss some of

the historical aspects of today's story while I'll cover the narrative. Hello everyone. I'm excited

to take a look at the trial of King Charles I. Let's go back to that cold morning on January 20th, 1649, just outside Westminster Hall in London.

Despite the horrid weather, crowds gathered in Westminster, all clamoring to get a glimpse of their disgraced king, Charles I. A lucky few were led inside to watch the proceedings, a first of its kind in London. Not only was Charles being brought in front of a court, he was being tried for high crimes

and treason. The penalty,

if found guilty, was

death. Those inside

the large hall didn't have a great view.

They were obstructed from seeing Charles

by large wooden partitions

blocking the aisle for his

safety.

Music large wooden partitions blocking the aisle for his safety. But the crowd knew when the trumpets sounded that Charles had arrived.

Clad in black, holding an ornamental cane, the 48-year-old monarch made his way behind the

partition toward the court of Judges on the

other side. Even under fire, Charles looked dignified, meeting the gaze of the men who held

his life in their hands. Members of the High Court of Justice, including Oliver Cromwell,

...