King Charles the Martyr

St. Charles, ‘the white king’, is the only figure since the Reformation to achieve formal canonization within the Church of England. This was achieved by valiantly dying for the Faith of our Communion. Before his beheading, he remarked: “I declare before you all that I die a Christian, according to the profession of the Church of England, as I found it left me by my father.” By his refusal to compromise the faith of the Church as it had been historically received, he lost his life. The Saintly Charles, however, did so gladly stating: “I go from a corruptible, to an incorruptible Crown; where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the World.” After his beheading and death, there were several notable reports of his relics healing those they touched. For this testimony of love toward the Church, She in return has continued to venerate him as a martyr worthy of her affection.