Blue Plaques

I'll say a word first about blue plaques, although it is probably obvious.  They are attached to the façade of a building to commemorate its historical significance, and I was surprised at how old the scheme is.   It is run by English Heritage and celebrates its 150th anniversary  this year.

To be eligible for an English Heritage blue plaque the famous person concerned must:

• Have been dead for 20 years or have passed the centenary of their birth. Fictional characters are not eligible;
• Be considered eminent by a majority of members of their own profession; have made an outstanding contribution to human welfare or happiness;
• Have lived or worked in that building  for a significant period, in time or importance, within their life and work; be recognisable to the well-informed passer-by, or deserve national recognition.
In cases of foreigners and overseas visitors, candidates should be of international reputation or significant standing in their own country.

One might suppose - mightn't one - that this was the end of the Civil War, but no, it was as they say, just "all over bar the shouting".    It actually carried on until Charles' army was defeated at the Battle of Preston in August 1648.

He was executed in January 1649 on such a bitterly cold day he wore two extra shirts because he thought that if he shivered people might think he was afraid.   Bless.

Charles's statue stands at the spot of his execution in London. Flowers of remembrance are still laid at its base by his supporters on the anniversary of his death.

There is a church in Tunbridge Wells, not far from where I lived in Sussex and its dedication is The Church of King Charles the Martyr, I liked to pop in there when I was in the town.

Below is another blue plaque nearby.