17th February 1680
Man convicted of killing Charles I dies in Elizabeth Castle
James Temple had been one of the judges in the trial of Charles I, and his was one of the 59 signatures on the king’s death warrant. When the monarchy was restored following Cromwell’s death, he tried to leave the country, but was captured on his way to Ireland.
Despite his signature appearing on the king’s death warrant, he claimed at his own trial that he had begged Cromwell to spare the king’s life. Thus, Temple’s life was spared in return and he was sent to Jersey to be detained, first at Mont Orgueil, and latterly at Elizabeth Castle, where he died, 31 years to the day after Charles II had been declared king less than a mile away.
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Other events that occured in February
Two women are stranded on Seymour Tower
- Two women had to be rescued by lifeboat when they became stranded on Seymour Tower as the tide rushed in around them.
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Fishermen discover an unexpected coffin
- When a paddle steamer was grounded, and sank, some of its cargo was lost, including a coffin and the corpse inside it.
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Women are jailed for smuggling gold in their knickers
- Four women were caught smuggling gold in their knickers and were sent to prison at the end of their trial.
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Channel 4’s Treasure Hunt comes from Jersey
- Channel 4 gameshow Treasure Hunt came to Jersey in its fifth season, having visited Guernsey several years earlier.
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