A date for your diary, as an annual march down The Mall to commemorate the execution of King Charles I will take place later this month.
From the march in January 2013
This is a ceremony to remember the “Horrid Murder” of King Charles I in 1649, and carried out by King’s Army of the English Civil War Society. The soldiers of this modern recreation of the Royalist Army of the English Civil Wars are all volunteers and will be clothed and equipped the same as their forebears 370 years ago.
For all the spectacle, it’s an annual tradition that seems oddly little known about considering that hundreds of participants take part in it, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of their annual commemoration.
It always takes place on the last Sunday of the month, and this year that happens to also coincide with the actual anniversary of the regicide of the King – 30th January.
The march starts by St James Palace at around 11:15am, and makes 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.
A 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.
From the march in January 2013
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.
So, if you fancy seeing a most curious sight head over to The Mall on Sunday 30th January.
From the march in January 2013
Re-enactors.
Please.
Shouldn’t it be a celebration?
That would be for the Roundheads, not the Royalists.
There will be another similar event taking place on Whitehall also on the morning of 30th January. Led by the Society’s chaplain and chairman, The Royal Stuart Society’s annual wreath-laying ceremony (traditionally with piper & bugler) takes place at 11:00AM at the equestrian statue of King Charles I at the intersection of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.
A third event, the wreath-laying and Mass of the Society of King Charles the Martyr (which includes veneration of the relics of King Charles I, whom they deem “Saint & Martyr”), also takes place shortly after — both outside and inside the Banqueting House on Whitehall. However it has been cancelled this year as the BH is not open.