Podcast Summary: "Acontece que no es poco | La mala cabeza de Carlos I"

Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: January 30, 2023
Podcast: Todo Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Theme: The execution of Charles I of England and its historical impact

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina turns her sharp, entertaining lens toward the decapitation of Charles I of England (Carlos I), a pivotal event that redefined the relationship between monarchy and the people in England and across Europe. Concostrina explores how Charles's arrogance, political blunders, and dramatic fate resonated far beyond his reign, setting a precedent that even monarchs could be held accountable by their subjects.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Choosing the Historic Topic of the Day

• Nieves discusses her process in choosing between several major January 30th events—Hitler’s appointment as chancellor and Gandhi’s assassination among them—but opts to focus on Charles I’s execution for its unique historical significance.
  • Quote:
    "He tirado por la decapitación del rey inglés, que no está mal y que siempre tienes más agradable." (02:02)
• She humorously laments that Charles I was, in effect, "the Froilán of the Stuarts"—constantly causing trouble wherever he went.
  • Quote:
    "Era el Froilán de la dinastía de los Estuardo, por donde pasaba o no crecía la hierba o ardía una discoteca." (02:39)

2. Why Charles I’s Decapitation Mattered

• The main historical innovation: Charles was publicly tried and executed by an institution representing the people (Parliament), shattering the age-old belief of royal divine inviolability.
  • Quote:
    "...por primera vez las casas reales europeas presenciaron con los ojos como platos cómo se deshacía ese principio indiscutible que decía que los reyes sólo eran responsables de sus actos ante Dios." (04:00)
• This example forced other European monarchies to "tighten up" and reconsider their absolute power.
• The 30th of January, 1649, thus stands as a landmark for shifting royal accountability.

3. Charles’s Notorious Reign and Enduring Legacy

• Charles’s reign was an ongoing series of political and personal blunders, some of which still echo in English ceremonial law and tradition:
  • Example: The annual opening of Parliament—where the monarch is forbidden to enter the House of Commons, a remnant of Charles I’s infamous intrusion.
  • Quote:
    "El protocolo al que te refieres es la prohibición que tiene el rey de Inglaterra de entrar en la Cámara de los Comunes." (05:14)
• Concostrina delivers a wry assessment of today’s monarchy, describing it as a decorative, tourist-friendly institution, kept in check by the political class:
  • Quote:
    "Estáis ahí porque sois muy monos, pero no os vais a mover de ahí." (05:31)
• She notes that modern royal events—celebrations, scandals, even TV series—are Britain’s cultural entertainment.

4. Charles’s Personal Life: Intrigue and Scandal

• A colorful, little-discussed aspect is unveiled: Charles grew up under the influence of his father, James I, whose favorite (and lover) was George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.
  • Quote:
    "Tuvo varios novios, pero su favorito fue un tipo monísimo que se llamaba Georges Villiers..." (09:05)
  • Nieves references historical love letters and the secret passage connecting the king’s and Buckingham’s bedrooms (“Se han hecho públicas cartas de amor... y descubrieron un pasadizo que conectaba las dos habitaciones...”—09:38).
• The double standards of the court: While nobles could follow their desires (regardless of orientation), ordinary people were harshly punished for similar behaviors.

5. The Road to Execution

• Charles I’s downfall stemmed from his refusal to recognize Parliament’s authority, repeated dissolutions of Parliament, fiscal abuses, and his tendency to jail political opponents.
  • Quote:
    "Como era un abusón con el poder, se metía en guerras perdidas de antemano. Cuando se quedaba sin liquidez, freía impuestos al personal." (06:45)
• He is indicted for "high treason and the exercise of tyrannical power" after provoking two civil wars and nearly a third:
  • Quote:
    "Alta traición y ejercicio de poder tiránico... por haber provocado hasta dos guerras civiles." (12:03)
  • He’s also accused of being a “tirano, traidor, asesino y enemigo público e implacable de la República de Inglaterra.” (12:19)
• The English experiment with a republic in the wake of his execution underscores how deeply he had alienated his own nation.
• Notably, Charles refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of the court or mount a defense, effectively sealing his doom.

6. The End: Execution and Its Lasting Symbolism

• On a freezing January day, Charles requests two shirts for the scaffold—not to shiver and appear afraid ("El rey pidió vestirse con dos camisas para no tiritar. No fueran a pensar los espectadores que temblaba de miedo."—13:31).
• Concostrina closes with her trademark humor, remarking on Charles’s bravado and leaving listeners with the image of a monarch who brought about his own downfall.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Pero con Carlos I no fue todo lo contrario. Con él todo fue fetén." (02:59) — Ironically stating the execution was ‘perfectly fine’ as a process.
• "Aquel 30 de enero de 1649 hacía un frío que pelaba en Londres... el rey pidió vestirse con dos camisas para no tiritar." (13:31)
• On the monarchy’s decorative function: "Como allí no tienen fiestas de vírgenes y de santos y demás mamandurrias, pues hombre, los mejores shows los proporcionan los monarcas." (05:28)
• On the courts’ hypocrisy: "Las normas, las prohibiciones, los mandamientos son siempre para los demás... para el que no existen normas, ni tiene nada prohibido..." (10:00)

Key Timestamps

• 00:51 – 02:39: Introducción; por qué elige la muerte de Carlos I
• 02:39 – 04:00: Importancia de la decapitación de un rey inglés
• 05:07 – 06:41: Protocolos heredados, balance del reinado y controles a la monarquía
• 08:16 – 10:35: Historia personal: Jacobo I, el duque de Buckingham y la doble moral cortesana
• 12:03 – 13:31: Juicio, cargos de alta traición, y el simbolismo del final

Final Thoughts

This episode distills the drama and consequence of Charles I’s reign with wit and depth, highlighting both the personal foibles of a monarch and the broader constitutional revolution his fate engendered. Nieves Concostrina’s lively storytelling, historical irreverence, and keen sense of irony provide listeners with both a history lesson and a satirical look at power, privilege, and accountability.