After the execution of their father in the January of 1649, both Charles and James, later Charles II and James II fled to France, the two younger children guardianship were given to noble families, families who really didn't want them, who accepted money granted for this purpose and then fobbed them off on someone else.
King Charles I was executed in 1649 on the order of the English parliament for crimes against the state, that is his refusal to abide by government policy, and his total belief in absolutism. The English government may have solved their problems by murdering a king with the full backing of the law but what where they to do with his children?
King Charles I was executed in 1649 on the order of the English parliament for crimes against the state, that is his refusal to abide by government policy, and his total belief in absolutism. The English government may have solved their problems by murdering a king with the full backing of the law but what where they to do with his children?
Elizabeth Stuart, Charles's second daughter's story was a sad one indeed.
On their last meeting before his execution Charles told Elizabeth not to "grieve and torment herself for him" but this fell on deaf ears. Distraught at his death, Elizabeth asked for permission to travel to Holland to be with her sister Mary, the wife of the Dutch prince, William of Orange, but this request was denied. Along with her brother, Henry, Duke of Gloucester they were sent to live in the care of the Earl of Northumberland's son, Lord Lisle. The next year saw Elizabeth and Henry pass from one family to another. Lord Lisle didn't want them, neither did the Harringtons, finally they were sent into the care of the Earl of Leicester, Robert Sidney and contrary to the instructions from parliament that they were 'not be indulged' they were treated kindly, but it was here, at Penhurst Place, that Elizabeth became sick.
Elizabeth's next placement was probably not due to the fact that she was unwanted but that she was a useful pawn in the latest saga of parliament versus monarchy. Elizabeth's brother Charles was heading for Scotland in the hope that the Scots would aid in the restoration of the English monarchy and poor Elizabeth was forced move to the Isle of Wight to be used as a hostage, this last journey cost her her life.
In 1649 Elizabeth had requested that she be sent to live with her sister Mary in Holland and had sent a letter to this effect. She arrived on the Isle of Wight but she was already sickly, she quickly developed pneumonia and died on 8 September 1650, she was just fifteen years old. Sadly, only two days after her death a letter arrived granting Elizabeth's request so her mortal remains where interred where she died.
With just the initials E S to mark her tomb at St Thomas's Church, Newport, her grave lay unnoticed and uncared for for just over two hundred years, but when Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 and made Osborne House on the Isle of Wight her home she commissioned Carlo Marochetti to sculpt a monument in memory of Elizabeth.
Elizabeth's next placement was probably not due to the fact that she was unwanted but that she was a useful pawn in the latest saga of parliament versus monarchy. Elizabeth's brother Charles was heading for Scotland in the hope that the Scots would aid in the restoration of the English monarchy and poor Elizabeth was forced move to the Isle of Wight to be used as a hostage, this last journey cost her her life.
In 1649 Elizabeth had requested that she be sent to live with her sister Mary in Holland and had sent a letter to this effect. She arrived on the Isle of Wight but she was already sickly, she quickly developed pneumonia and died on 8 September 1650, she was just fifteen years old. Sadly, only two days after her death a letter arrived granting Elizabeth's request so her mortal remains where interred where she died.
With just the initials E S to mark her tomb at St Thomas's Church, Newport, her grave lay unnoticed and uncared for for just over two hundred years, but when Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 and made Osborne House on the Isle of Wight her home she commissioned Carlo Marochetti to sculpt a monument in memory of Elizabeth.
As you can see, not only is it a beautiful representation of a daughter of a king but also poignant reminder of abandonment. Elizabeth lies with her cheek on a bible open to Gospel of Matthew just as, it is said, she was found, clutching the book her father had given her the last time he saw her.
Victoria had the following words carved in black marble on the side of her tomb:
"To the memory of The Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King Charles I, who died at Carisbrooke Castle on 8
September 1650, and is interred beneath the chancel of this church, this monument is erected as a token of
respect for her virtues and of sympathy for her misfortunes, by Victoria R., 1856."
Not only did Queen Victoria want us to read of Elizabeth's misfortunes, she wanted a visual representation too, caved above the stature is a grate which tells us Elizabeth was held against her will, but they are broken, so we can see that at last Elizabeth, is free.
Victoria had the following words carved in black marble on the side of her tomb:
"To the memory of The Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King Charles I, who died at Carisbrooke Castle on 8
September 1650, and is interred beneath the chancel of this church, this monument is erected as a token of
respect for her virtues and of sympathy for her misfortunes, by Victoria R., 1856."
Not only did Queen Victoria want us to read of Elizabeth's misfortunes, she wanted a visual representation too, caved above the stature is a grate which tells us Elizabeth was held against her will, but they are broken, so we can see that at last Elizabeth, is free.
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