The Society of King Charles the Martyr
“May I welcome you to these web-pages of The Society of King Charles the Martyr with the hope that you will find their contents interesting and informative. Although a small society we remain very active and lively in providing a fitting organisation to keep the memory of the life and death of King Charles. It was the Blessed John Henry Newman who recalled the Church to remember ‘our own Saint Charles’ and John Keble who wrote, ‘It is as natural that the Church of England should keep this day [30th January] as it is that Christ’s Universal Church should keep Saint Stephen’s martyrdom.’ In the King’s personal piety, devotion and support of the Church, his ecumenical understanding (far advanced for his day), his patronage of the Arts in the service of God, his inspiration of the Christian classic, Eikon Basilike and of course his martyrdom, we have much to REMEMBER and be thankful for.” Lord Nicholas Windsor, Patron
The Society of King Charles the Martyr
The Society of King Charles the Martyr has a history dating back to the 19th Century. Since King Charles' martyrdom on 30th January, 1649, countless Christians have remembered his sacrifice for the Church. The origins of the Society can be traced back more specifically to when the Feast of S. Charles was mistakenly removed from the Kalendar of The Prayer Book.
It was founded in 1894 as ‘a Church Defence Union under the banner of the Martyr-King’ and its initial prime objective was ‘intercessory prayer for the defence of the Church of England against the attacks of her enemies’. Since its founding the work and objectives of the Society have broadened into a wider devotional and ecumenical society with its continuance in the tradition of Catholic Anglicanism.
The Society of King Charles the Martyr is active today promoting the objectives of the society and commemorating the Martyr's sacrifice. The membership and committee of the Society has decided to maintain the doctrine and practice of the Church upon the matter of the conference of the Orders of Bishop and Priest as they were before synodical government was introduced into the Church of England.
We welcome ecumenical participation and are pleased to hear from all those who are interested in honouring the memory of S. Charles.
Why We Honour King Charles I as a Saint
King Charles the Martyr was the last saint to be canonised by the Church of England. He is honoured as a martyr because he died for the Church. He was offered his life if he would abandon episcopacy but he refused, for this would have taken the Church of England away from being part of 'the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church’ and change Her into a sect. So we venerate him for his sacrifice and see in it inspiration for us today. S. Charles is a martyr for the doctrine of episcopacy and the apostolic succession.
In the words of Dr. Mandell Creighton, Bishop of London 1897-1901 and a noted ecclesiastical historian: ‘Had Charles been willing to abandon the Church and give up episcopacy, he might have saved his throne and his life. But on this point Charles stood firm: for this he died, and by dying saved it for the future.’
Immediately upon the Restoration of Church and monarchy on 19th May, 1660, the Convocation of Canterbury and York, now being free to assemble and act, canonised King Charles and added his name to the Kalendar of Saints at the revision of The Prayer Book.
It came into use with the authority of Church and State in 1662 and since that time parish churches and chapels have been dedicated under the title of S.Charles (often under the title of King Charles the Martyr).
S. Charles is also honoured for his strong personal piety and for his protection and patronage of the Church.
His reign saw the beginning of a revival of the Religious Life in the Church of England and the first attempt at Community Life (after the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII), which began at Little Gidding and was encouraged by S. Charles. The King visited the community and commissioned work.
He oversaw many schemes for the Church: the restoration and adornment of churches and cathedrals, the founding and advancement of charities, the improvement of the liturgy and the re-introduction of the episcopacy in Scotland. His reign witnessed, albeit briefly, a Golden Age for Anglicanism especially in spiritual and devotional writing that is still much appreciated today.
The Relics of St Charles
In addition to the Society's relics, which are offered for veneration at the annual Commemoration, relics of S.Charles may be seen at The Museum of London; Carisbrook Castle, the Isle of Wight; Lambeth Palace, London; and The Banqueting House, Whitehall. The Royal Family also keep a collection of relics at Windsor Castle and The Palace of Holyrood Palace. The Society is always keen to receive further relics into our care. If you would like to discuss this please be in contact with the Chaplain.
The Commemoration
Will next take place on Friday 30th January 2026.
At present we expect this to take place in the Banqueting House as in 2023. Further details will be available at the beginning of November.
Liturgical Manual
The Society of King Charles the Martyr has produced a Liturgical Manual which can be used in services commemorating the Martyr and may be download here (PDF).
Joining the Society
We invite you to consider joining The Society of King Charles the Martyr. In joining you will be helping us to promote our objectives. Members of the Society receive our journal Church and King. Members are also entitled to wear the Society’s medal, available at our shop, and are particularly encouraged to do so when attending Society events.
The most straightforward method of joining is to use our online system at https://membermojo.co.uk/skcm. This handles all payments and renewal notices automatically. Alternatively you can download a paper form here.
Contact Information
Membership and payment enquiries: treasurer@skcm.org
Contributions to Church and King: secretary@skcm.org
Matters concerning Saint Charles: chaplain@skcm.org
Chairman: chairman@skcm.org
Legal and Copyright
The Society of King Charles the Martyr was founded in London in 1894. Since that time it has worked to promote the cause of King Charles's martyrdom and saintdom. Since the founding and in more recent times, chapters affiliated with The Society of King Charles the Martyr have also been organised.
The term "The Society of King Charles the Martyr" and the abbreviation "SKCM" may only be used by those chapters or organisations officially recognised and given permission by the mother organisation in the United Kingdom. Such organisations, individuals or groups using this term or abbreviation without the express permission of our organisation may be subject to civil and/or legal penalties and may be subject to prosecution under British law.
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