When Charles Stuart was a young child, it seemed unlikely that he would survive, let alone become ruler of England and Scotland. Once shy and retiring, an awkward stutterer, he grew in stature and confidence under the guidance of the Duke of Buckingham; his marriage to Henrietta of Spain, originally planned to end the conflict between the two nations, became, after rocky beginnings, a true love match. Christopher Hibbert's biography re-creates the world of Charles I, his court, artistic patronage and family life, while tracing the course of events that led to his execution in 1649. Above all, Hibbert captures the elusive personality of the king that many consider to be a martyr.