The English Civil War, Republic, and Protectorate (1640-1660)

These flashcards cover the timeline of events, key political groups, religious sects, and constitutional acts from the beginning of the Long Parliament in 1640 through the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

Battle of Newburn

The event on $28\text{ August } 1640$ where the Scots defeated the English on the River Tyne, leading to Charles I calling the Long Parliament.

Long Parliament

The parliament assembled on $3\text{ November } 1640$ that lasted in various forms until $1659$, initially called because Charles I could not meet financial obligations from the Scottish truce.

Pym's Junto

The group led by John Pym, John Hampden, and Arthur Haselrig that organized the opposition strategy to the king during the Long Parliament.

Triennial Act

A law introduced in $\text{February } 1641$ that obligated Charles I to call a parliament at least once every $3$ years.

Act of Attainder

A parliamentary act acting as a death warrant requiring only suspicion of guilt; it was used to execute the Earl of Strafford in $\text{May } 1641$.

Constitutional Royalists

A middle group of moderate MPs led by Sir Edward Hyde and Lord Falkland who favored a settlement between the king and parliament.

Ten Propositions

A document sent to Charles I in $\text{June } 1641$ requesting extensions of parliamentary power, including the right to approve the king's advisers.

Grand Remonstrance

A document sent to the king on $22\text{ November } 1641$ that passed the Commons by only $11$ votes, illustrating the deep divisions within parliament.

Militia Bill

A proposal by Arthur Haselrig to provide an army under the control of parliament to tackle the Irish Rebellion, which caused outraged moderates to support Charles I.

Arrest of the Five Members

Charles I's failed attempt on $4\text{ January } 1642$ to arrest leaders including Pym and Hampden by entering the House of Commons with $300$ soldiers.

Nineteen Propositions

Demands issued by parliament in $\text{June } 1642$ as the basis for a settlement, which included oversight of the education of the king's children.

Solemn League and Covenant

A $\text{late } 1643$ alliance between the English Parliament and Scottish forces designed to bring experienced military aid to the parliamentarian cause.

Self-Denying Ordinance

A $\text{early } 1645$ parliamentary motion where military leaders like Essex and Manchester resigned their commands to form the New Model Army.

New Model Army

A professional army of $22,000$ men created in $\text{February } 1645$, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax and cavalry commander Oliver Cromwell.

Battle of Naseby

The decisive battle on $14\text{ June } 1645$ in Northamptonshire where the Royalists were crushed by the New Model Army.

Presbyterians

A conservative parliamentary faction that wanted a national church organized by elected elders and opposed broad religious toleration.

Independents

Also known as Congregationalists, they advocated for independent churches and religious toleration for various Protestant groups.

Directory of Public Worship

The $\text{1645}$ replacement for the Book of Common Prayer that aimed to make religion less ritualistic and abolished traditional feast days like Christmas.

Ranters

A radical sect that believed all people were saved by God and therefore could not commit sin, leading them to challenge moral restrictions.

Fifth Monarchists

A radical group that wanted to remove earthly governments to prepare for the return of Jesus to rule in person.

Quakers

Founded by George Fox in $1647$, this group rejected formal church services and hierarchy, following their own Inner Light.

Newcastle Propositions

Terms for a settlement sent to the king by Political Presbyterians in $\text{July } 1646$ that included parliamentary control of the militia for $20$ years.

Declaration of Dislike

A $\text{March } 1647$ statement by Denzil Holles declaring that soldiers petitioning for grievances were enemies of the State.

Agitators

Elected representatives of the rank-and-file New Model Army soldiers who held radical political and religious views.

Heads of Proposals

A moderate settlement plan offered to Charles I by army leaders in $\text{August } 1647$ featuring religious toleration and parliamentary control of the militia for $10$ years.

Agreement of the People

A radical constitution produced by Levellers advocating for a democratic republic, one democratically elected house, and complete religious toleration.

Putney Debates

A series of meetings in $\text{October } 1647$ within the Army Council to discuss the Levellers' Agreement of the People.

Pride's Purge

The event on $6\text{ December } 1648$ where Colonel Thomas Pride excluded more than $100$ MPs from parliament who still supported negotiations with the King.

Rump Parliament

The remaining $80$ members of the House of Commons after Pride's Purge who authorized the trial and execution of Charles I.

1650 Toleration Act

A law that repealed the requirement to attend the national Church, allowing for the legal organization of local independent churches.

Navigation Act

An $\text{October } 1651$ law requiring imports to be carried in English ships or ships from the country of origin, aimed at Dutch trade.

Nominated Assembly

Also known as the Barebones Parliament ($1653$), it consisted of $140$ men chosen by the Council of Officers to enact a godly reformation.

Instrument of Government

Britain's first written constitution ($1653$), which established the Protectorate and appointed Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector for life.

Major-Generals

An $\text{October } 1655$ system where Cromwell divided the country into $11$ districts under centralized military rule to enforce security and moral reform.

Decimation Tax

A 10\text{%} tax on the estates of Royalists used to fund the militia under the Major-Generals.

Humble Petition and Advice

A $1657$ constitution written by civilian politicians that offered the crown to Cromwell and restored an Upper House to Parliament.

General Monck

The commander of the army in Scotland who marched to London in $1660$ to restore a free Parliament, leading to the restoration of the monarchy.

Triers and Ejectors

Two committees established in $1654$ to supervise clerical appointments and remove incompetent or ungodly ministers from the national Church.

Oath of Abjuration

A $\text{March } 1643$ law requiring Catholics to deny their basic beliefs or face confiscation of two-thirds of their land and goods.