American President Abraham Lincoln delivered his now famous Gettysburg address on 19th November 1863 at the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Lincolns speech came some four and a half months after his Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the decisive Battle of Gettysburg. Not only do we bring you the full transcript of the address, but also images of the address itself!

Buckingham was the first one he leaned on for both support and a boost to his own confidence.  Others with similar strength of character would take turns to be that prop to him, but no other (apart from his wife) would ever be as close as Buckingham.  So when in later years as King, his Parliament’s attacked Buckingham and tried to imprison him, King Charles would not only defend the man who was practically a brother, but he saw it as a personal insult because he approved wholeheartedly of Buckingham.

Charles asked for permission to accompany the King on his visit to Scotland in 1617, hoping to get to know the people of that land better for the future.  He was refused.  King James had already been overshadowed by his eldest son before his early death and he was adamant Charles was not going to do the same.  But he was allowed to receive ambassadors on his own now and always wrote up a description of the event to dutifully report back to his father.  He was finally getting more involved with the ladies of the court too, as on one occasion when he was eighteen, he penned a poem to one girl that he felt passionate about:

Prince of Wales

Princess Elizabeth was betrothed in the sprawling Whitehall Palace, wearing black satin, in memory of her brother, and silver lace, with a majestic plume of white feathers.  Early in 1613, she left England for her new home, leaving Charles as the only royal child, and heir to the throne.

Shouldering these devastating changes, losses and responsibilities, Charles stepped up to the mark.  His mettle was now tested and he began to find that core of iron within his willpower that would go on to drive him through the stormiest of situations that life and Kingship could throw at him.  He got up early every morning to run in St James’s Park, determined to strengthen his legs, studied books and took an even deeper interest in the country he was now destined to rule.  He would accompany his father to the state opening of Parliament, sit in the House of Lords and sometimes take part in debates, testing his speech impediment and his confidence to the limit and hoping to create an image of suitability as a future King.