For it was on a Tuesday, a cold day; there was a bite in the air. He requested an extra garment to protect him from the chill in the air; lest the crowd see him shivering and mistake it for cowardice. He left his home and was escorted to Whitehall, where he would address his people one last time. Here, he found the crowds held back, and so, made his final address to his loyal servant, his Bishop.
Then, he had to lie prostate, rather than kneel, and in a final act of submission, place his head on the executioner’s block.
With one clean strike, his head was severed from his body. His head was then held up to the crowd, but none of the usual utterings were said. His head was then dropped amongst the populace outside the Banqueting House on Whitehall, London.
When Richard Brandon, executioner for the City of London, refused to aid in the execution of King Charles I; emissaries were sent out to Scotland, Wales and Ireland to find a volunteer to carry out the execution. This volunteer executioner wore a mask and a wig to hide his appearance. He probably did not shout any of the usual cries heard at an execution, in fear of his voice or accent being recognised.
Legend has it that Richard Gunning was given a property in Galway in return for his role in the execution of King Charles I – ‘ the price of Royal Blood ‘. Gunning was heard to brag in the taverns of Galway that his hand had felt the muscles on the neck of the King of England.
Following the execution, Cromwell’s army came to Ireland to assert their authority. They laid siege to Galway, led by one of Cromwell’s most trusted and loyal henchmen, Colonel Peter Stubbers. After Galway’s surrender in 1653, Stubbers became the town’s military Governor, and later evicted Mayor Lynch Fitz-Ambrose, and took over his splendid house at 15, High Street. Stubbers made himself the 1st English and 1st non-tribal Mayor of Galway.
However, recent research by local Galway historian, Jackie Ui Chionna, disputes this theory, and directly links Stubbers to the Royal execution. Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, King Charles II pardoned those who conspired against his father. However, this pardon specifically exempted Stubbers. A hand-written letter by Charles II identifies Stubbers as the axe-man ( Halberdier ) ‘that assisted at that execrable murder of our Royal Father’
While Gunning and Stubbers appear to have made a swift exit and sudden disappearance from Galway, 15 High Street remains as testimony to those times.
15 High Street is history on our doorstep. It brings us back over 800 years; for it was here that Stubbers took up residence. This building has several links to the Tribes of Galway, and is, in essence, a true piece of living history. Today, it is more commonly known as the ‘King’s Head’.
Recently I visited and availed of their culinary delights. I can recommend their ‘Charles I burger’ and their proper chips. My dining companion had the ‘fish of the day’ and said wonderful things about it. Coming from her, that really is saying something.
I did not partake, but you may, if you so wish, sample a pint of their ‘Blood Red Ale’. We settled for 2 coffees; outside, on a cold afternoon, with a chill in the air.
On this day, Tuesday, 30 January, 1649, King Charles I was executed!.
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