# Charles Stuart — Twenty Years After character guide

> Charles Stuart in Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Charles I, King Charles I, King Charles

**First appearance:** 0035-xxxvi-a-letter-from-charles-the-first

## Snapshot

A king on trial who refuses to beg, answering his judges with contempt and touching the executioner's axe as if it were a courtier's hand.

## Who they are

Charles Stuart stands before his accusers with his head still covered, insisting that to answer them would be to grant them a authority they do not possess. He is proud, theatrical, and utterly alone — he scans the benches for the Frenchmen who might have defended him and finds only strangers. His dignity in the face of death is the book's starkest portrait of what the musketeers failed to prevent, and the guilt of that failure shadows Athos and Aramis through every later intrigue.

## Relationships

### [Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/athos)

_friendship_

Athos is a loyal supporter and friend to King Charles I, risking his life to aid the deposed monarch.

### [Anne of Austria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/anne_of_austria)

_professional_

Anne has a formal, diplomatic relationship with King Charles I, offering him little real support despite their royal kinship.

### [Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/athos)

_friendship_

Athos is a loyal supporter and friend to King Charles I, risking his life to aid the deposed monarch.

### [Anne of Austria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/anne_of_austria)

_professional_

Anne has a formal, diplomatic relationship with King Charles I, offering him little real support despite their royal kinship.

### [Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/athos)

_friendship_

Athos is a loyal supporter and friend to King Charles I, risking his life to aid the deposed monarch.

### [Anne of Austria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/anne_of_austria)

_professional_

Anne has a formal, diplomatic relationship with King Charles I, offering him little real support despite their royal kinship.

## In the story

### [A Letter from Charles the First](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxxvi-a-letter-from-charles-the-first)

King Charles I is the author of the letter, facing a decisive battle at Naseby and contemplating exile in France.

### [Cromwell's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxxvii-cromwell-s-letter)

Referenced as the king whose tyranny the English are fighting; Mordaunt's enemy for robbing him of his fortune and nobility.

### [LV: The Scotchman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lv-the-scotchman)

King Charles I, betrayed by his Scottish allies; initially resigned but agrees to attempt escape after Athos's plea.

### [The Avenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lvi-the-avenger)

Betrayed by the Scots; knights Athos and Aramis; taken prisoner after Winter's death.

### [Oliver Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lvii-oliver-cromwell)

Captured after the battle; his dignified bearing is noted by Mordaunt.

### [LX: Respect to Fallen Majesty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lx-respect-to-fallen-majesty)

The captive king, whose spirits are lifted by the news of the wounded man's survival and who acknowledges the friends' loyalty.

### [LXI: D’Artagnan Hits on a Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxi-d-artagnan-hits-on-a-plan)

The imprisoned king, aware of the friends' presence and their plan.

### [LXIII: The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxiii-the-trial)

The king on trial, maintains composure, wears his hat in defiance, and later endures insults from the crowd.

### [LXIV: Whitehall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxiv-whitehall)

Condemned king, awaiting execution; receives Aramis disguised as Juxon and learns of the rescue plan.

### [LXV: The Workmen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxv-the-workmen)

The king, awaiting execution; learns of the escape plan but also receives the death sentence; prepares for martyrdom with dignity.

### [Remember!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxvi-remember)

King Charles I, executed on the scaffold; speaks to his children and gives the signal 'Remember!'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/charles_stuart
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters