'I travel the country dressed as King Charles I'

A man who dresses up as King Charles I has visited more than 70 historical places linked to the monarch to re-enact his life.

Daniel Williams, 50, from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, began journeying in the King's footsteps in 2017.

He has since travelled to every site in the UK with a historic reference to the King, including Aston Hall in Birmingham, where he spent a night in 1642 during the Civil War.

"The joy is being able to help the great history and heritage of this country get more of a stage," Mr Williams said.

"Because through the trials of King Charles and through his eyes, many great buildings that maybe don't get spoken about enough, finally get talked about more on social media and through the videos that I make."

Mr Williams, who works as a club DJ, is now set to write a book of his exploits and what he has learned about hidden royal history in the West Midlands.

Following the end of the Second Civil War, King Charles I was captured and put on trial for high treason.

He was was found guilty and sentenced to death in 1649.

Mr Williams described how he had psych himself up "tremendously" to get into character for "a whole day of being the King."

"I learnt very fast that there's a feeling of deflation afterwards, a bit like maybe a rockstar when they come off the stage. It's all about performance and embracing the public and involving them," he explained.

"At some point thankfully I can switch off and go back to Daniel which is crucial really when you're going to a place like Greggs for a sausage roll."

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