William Laud

Laud was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Charles I. He enforced uniformity in worship, emphasizing ritual and ceremony, which alienated Puritans and contributed to rising tensions.

Laud attempted to impose a new Prayer Book on the Scottish Church, sparking riots in Edinburgh. This led to the National Covenant and the Bishops' Wars, precursors to the English Civil War.

Laud was arrested by the Long Parliament and imprisoned in the Tower of London on charges of treason. His policies were blamed for the political and religious crisis.

Laud was tried and executed by beheading on Tower Hill after a lengthy imprisonment. His death marked a victory for Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War.