Events

• January 30 - King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland is beheaded. His widow Henrietta Maria resides in her native France.
• January 30 - The Commonwealth of England, a republican form of government, replaces the monarchy as the form of government of England and later of Scotland and Ireland. Members of the Long Parliament serve as government.
• January 30 - Prince Charles Stuart declares himself King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland. At the time all three Kingdoms had not recognized him as ruler.
• February 5 - In Edinburgh, Scotland claimant King Charles II of England is declared King in his absence. Scotland is the first of the three Kingdoms to recognize his claim to the throne.
• March 11 - The Frondeurs (rebels) and the French government sign the Peace of Rueil .
• March 19 - The House of Commons pass an act abolishing the House of Lords, declaring that it is "useless and dangerous to the people of England".
• May 19 - An act declaring England to be a Commonwealth is passed by the Rump Parliament.
• Robert Blake is promoted to become an Admiral of the English fleet
• August 15 - Admiral Robert Blake blockades Prince Rupert to allow Oliver Cromwell to land in Dublin and begin the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland
• September 2 - The Italian city of Castro is completely destroyed by the forces of Pope Innocent X, ending the Wars of Castro.
• Unknown date - Urga founded (now Mongolian capital)

Ongoing events

• Fronde civil war in France (1648-1653)

Births

• February 2 - Pope Benedict XIII
• April 9 - James Crofts, illegitimate son of Charles II of England, later as James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth claimant to the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland.
• July 23 - Pope Clement XI

Deaths

• January 30 - King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (Executed).
• March 5 - Henry Rich, Earl of Holland (Executed).