Pauline Gregg weaves the story of the sickly grandchild of Mary Queen of Scots who was to rule the kingdoms of England Scotland. Born to James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) and his Danish wife Anne, from the start Charles I was surrounded by rumours and intrigue, and his youth as the heir apparent - part Puritan and part Renaissance Prince - was marked by his marriage to the French princess, Henrietta Maria, and his friendships with the notorious Duke of Buckingham and his circle - all recounted by Gregg with the telling detail and narrative control of the masterful historian.With his accession the story gathers pace, and as the infamous tragedy unfolds with the King increasingly in conflict with all around him - the Church, the Scots, Parliament - Gregg surprises with sparkling insights, fairness, understanding and poignancy to such an extent that one feels one is actually there as the country collapses into civil war and the King falls under the shadow of the axe.