1649 Facts for Kids

Millennium:	2nd millennium
Centuries:	16th century – 17th century – 18th century
Decades:	1610s 1620s 1630s – 1640s – 1650s 1660s 1670s
Years:	1646 1647 1648 – 1649 – 1650 1651 1652

The year 1649 was a time of big changes, especially in England, Scotland, and Ireland. It was a year when a king was executed, and a new way of governing was tried. This period is an important part of history, showing how countries can change their leaders and their political systems.

Major Events of 1649
Important People Born in 1649
Important People Who Died in 1649
Images for kids
See also

Major Events of 1649

The End of a King

On January 30, a very important and sad event happened in England. King Charles I of England was executed. This meant he was put to death, which was a shocking moment in history. His wife, Henrietta Maria, had to live in France, her home country.

England Becomes a Commonwealth

Right after the King's death, England changed its government. On January 30, the country became a Commonwealth. This meant it was no longer a kingdom ruled by a king or queen. Instead, it was a republic, where people elected representatives to govern. The members of the Long Parliament were in charge.

A New King Declared (But Not Everywhere)

Even though England became a Commonwealth, King Charles I's son, Prince Charles Stuart, declared himself King Charles II of England. However, not all parts of the kingdom recognized him right away.

On February 5, Scotland was the first to declare Charles II as their King, even though he wasn't there. This showed that Scotland still wanted a king.

Peace in France

In France, there was a conflict called the Fronde. This was a series of civil wars where rebels fought against the government. On March 11, the rebels, called Frondeurs, and the French government signed the Peace of Rueil. This agreement helped to end some of the fighting.

Changes in Parliament

On March 19, the House of Commons in England made a big decision. They passed a law to get rid of the House of Lords. They said it was "useless and dangerous to the people of England." This meant that only the House of Commons would make laws.

On May 19, a law was passed by the Rump Parliament that officially declared England a Commonwealth. This was a major step in creating the new government.

Military Actions and Explorations

Robert Blake became an important leader in the English navy. He was promoted to Admiral of the fleet.
On August 15, Admiral Robert Blake helped Oliver Cromwell land in Dublin, Ireland. This was the start of the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, a military campaign.
The Italian city of Castro was completely destroyed on September 2 by the forces of Pope Innocent X. This ended the Wars of Castro.
In an unknown part of the world, the city of Urga was founded. Today, this city is the capital of Mongolia.
The Digger movement, a group of people who wanted to farm common land, was stopped at St George's Hill.

Important People Born in 1649

Many notable people were born in 1649 who would later become famous for different reasons:

February 2 – Pope Benedict XIII: He later became a leader of the Catholic Church.
April 5 – Elihu Yale: An American merchant who later gave money to start Yale University, a famous school.
July 23 – Pope Clement XI: Another future leader of the Catholic Church.
September 15 – Titus Oates: An English minister known for his involvement in political plots.

Important People Who Died in 1649

Several important figures passed away in 1649:

January 30 – King Charles I of England: As mentioned, he was executed.
March 9 – James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton: A Scottish statesman who played a role in the political events of the time.
March 16 – Jean de Brébeuf: A French Jesuit missionary who worked in North America.
March 26 – John Winthrop: The first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in America.