2. Early Life, 1600-25

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About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, Diane traces the early life of Charles, from his birth to 1600 to his coronation in 1625. Charles had a difficult childhood. Born and raised in Dunfermline, he suffered severely from rickets, was bullied by his older brother Henry, and was isolated from his parents. When his older brother Henry died unexpectedly in 1612, Charles became heir apparent, and turned to one of his father's advisors for support. The man who Charles had chosen, the Duke of Buckingham, died just three years after Charles had acceded to the throne.

Course

This course provides key historical context for John Milton's 'Paradise Lost', looking in particular at the figure of Charles I. The course is divided into nine parts. The first seven look at Charles' early years (1600-25), his early reign (1625-29), the period of Personal Rule (1629-40), his problems in Scotland (1639-40) and Ireland (1641), and the English Civil War (1642-51). The last two look at the impact of Charles' reign on Paradise Lost, as well as Milton's own politics in this period.

Lecturer

Diane Purkiss is a Professor at Keble College, Oxford. She has published two books on the English Civil War - 'The English Civil War: A People's History' (2006) and 'Literature, Gender, and Politics during the English Civil War' (2005).