UK Citizenship Practice Test 2025 - Free Citizenship Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct answer is Charles I because he was the king of England during the English Civil War, which took place from 1642 to 1651. This conflict was primarily between the Royalists, who supported the king, and the Parliamentarians, who opposed him. Oliver Cromwell, a leading figure in the Parliamentarian faction, played a crucial role in the military campaigns against Charles I. The culmination of this conflict led to the defeat of the king's forces, and ultimately, Charles I was captured, tried, and executed in 1649.

Charles II, Charles I's son, was not directly involved in the Civil War in this context; he became king later and was restored to the throne in 1660 after a period of rule known as the Commonwealth, which Cromwell effectively led. James I predated these events, having ruled from 1603 to 1625, and Henry VIII's reign ended in 1547, long before the Civil War took place. Thus, Charles I is the only choice that accurately represents the king defeated by Oliver Cromwell during this significant historical conflict.