Eikon Basilike

There are several versions of the frontispiece to Eikon Basilike, however all depict Charles I the night before his execution. The frontispiece is filled with symbolism; Charles I holding a crown of thorns, a book propped on the table in front of him, and a crown and globe at his feet; a ray extends from his left eye to the crown of martyrdom at top right; another ray from the back of his head extends to clouds in the left-hand compartment where a rock rises from a stormy sea, in the foreground, a shore with palm trees hung with weights.

Some versions of the frontispiece feature an explanation of the emblem which reads,

Though clogged with weights of miseries 

Palm-like depressed, I higher rise.

And as the unmoved Rock out-braves 

The boisterous winds and raging waves

So triumph I. And shine more bright

In sad Affliction's Darksome night. 

That splendid, but yet toilsome Crown

 Regardlessly I trample down. 

With joy I take this crown of thorn,

Though sharp, yet easy to be born.

That heavenly Crown, already mine, 

I View with eyes of Faith divine. 

I slight vain things; and do embrace

Glory, the just reward of Grace.

• Immota, Trivmphans — "Unmoved, Triumphant" (scroll around the rock);
• Clarior é tenebris — "Brighter through the darkness" (beam from the clouds);
• Crescit Sub Pondere Virtvs — "Virtue grows beneath weights" (scroll around the tree);
• Beatam & Æternam — "Blessed and Eternal" (around the heavenly crown marked Gloria ("Glory"));
• Splendidam & Gravem — "Splendid and Heavy" (around the Crown of England, removed from the King's head and lying on the ground), with the motto Vanitas (“Vanity”); 
• Asperam & Levem — "Bitter and Light", the martyr's crown of thorns held by Charles; contains the motto Gratia ("Grace");
• Coeli Specto — "I look to Heaven";
• In Verbo Tvo Spes Mea — "In Thy Word is My Hope";
• Christi Tracto — "I entreat Christ" or "By the word of Christ";
• Mundi Calco — "I tread on the world".