Charles II's Royal Vendetta: The Hunt for the Parliamentarian Regicides | History Is Ours

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Published on April 15, 2024 7:15:13 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQP78isnu_8

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Duration: 2:08:04

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Historical Docudrama telling the story of King Charles II's royal vendetta and the hunt for the Parliamentarian regicides who signed his beloved father's death warrant before chopping off his head.

Part 1 - 00:00:00 - The Death Warrant
Part 2 - 00:42:13 - Chaos and Rebellion
Part 3 - 01:25:52 - Absolute Power

Our story begins in the year 1660, with Charles II returning to England to claim his father's throne after nine years in exile in Scotland. It takes him no time at all to establish himself as a formidable figure - and one seeking vengeance.

His father, Charles I, had been publicly executed for treason in 1649 after spending most of his 24-year reign in conflict with Parliament. The conflict resulted in civil wars in Scotland, Ireland, and England, with fighters split between being Royalists or Republicans (a group led by Oliver Cromwell, who wanted to overthrow the monarchy).

After Charles was beheaded, Cromwell assumed power of a military dictatorship, which dissolved after his death. With Charles II reinstated, his first decree was to ensure that those responsible for his father’s execution were held accountable.

The Declaration of Breda was created, commanding the execution of seven individuals who had signed his father's death warrant, known as the 'Regicides'.

However, upon receiving the warrant, King Charles decided that he wanted all 59 men involved to be put to death. This decision was influenced by his brother, James II.

Instead, he enacted the dreadfully named Act of Indemnity and Oblivion, which ordered that the responsible men be hanged, drawn, and quartered upon capture.

In a gruesome act of torture, this involved some of the men being hanged, then cut down before death, followed by disembowelment, removal of their genitals, and burning them in front of the men, before finally beheading them.

The story is told by three key storytellers through a combination of dramatic monologues and reconstructions, divided into the perspective of the three groups involved in the tale - the Royalists, the Regicides, and King Charles II himself.

Sheila Atim (The Woman King, The Underground Railroad) tells the story of the Royalists who fully support the restoration of the monarchy and the dedicated individuals of the court.

Jared Harris (Chernobyl, The Crown, Mad Men) portrays the Regicides, who were involved in signing the death warrant for King Charles I, resulting in their own impending doom – although some still argue that their actions were justified.

Lastly, Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love, The Handmaid's Tale) narrates the perspective of King Charles II, depicting how his thirst for revenge and bloodlust consumes him more each day, while he is influenced by those in his inner circle and the court.

Get ready to witness the Royal family in a completely new light as we delve into this often overlooked chapter of history, filled with political power plays, espionage, deceit, and vengeance.

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