I recently joined the Forums. I'm a member of the Polish National Catholic Church. Also happen to be a member of the Society Of King Charles The Martyr. While not a very good king, I think he was a very good man....
I agree. He did what he was inclined to do, according to his faith and convictions. I'm a member of an organization praying for the canonization of Blessed Karl of Austria. Many can say the same of him!
King Charles was an amazing man, and a notable example of someone being formally canonized by the Church of England in the post-Reformation period.
Charles' only problem was that he placed his faith in the wrong people and he was up against what we would now call a populist who stirred anti-monarchial sentiment. Cromwell was a murderous tyrant. Charles made some mistakes, he's only human, but he loved his country, his people and God. Whatever Charles did during his reign was nothing in comparison to what Cromwell and his puritans would inflict on the people of England, Wales and Ireland. Praise be to God that his reign ended swiftly and that his system of government collapsed and the land was restored. I can only imagine what it was like to live under Cromwell. I bet in hindsight people regretted what had happened.
On another note, the Society of King Charles Martyr attracts some interesting people indeed. This years annual mass had more people there because he was a deposed king, rather than because he was a martyr for the faith.
Indeed, my family and I are Irish Catholic (or at least I was). My mom grew up singing songs about Oliver Cromwell being buried and dead in primary school.
Good piece (he said in an unbiased manner) by yours truly on why Saint Charles, King & Martyr should be honored. http://northamanglican.com/why-we-should-remember-st-charles-king-and-martyr/