The consolidation of the Republic - Scotland and Dunbar, Ireland and Worcester

What are the main reasons why Charles I was executed? (4)

He was arguably the main reason for the start of the 2nd civil war - he had rejected God's judgement in the outcome of the 1st civil war

The failure to find settlement after the 1st civil war

Charles had proven duplicitous and untrustworthy

The NMA had emerged as a political force and were connected to radicalism.

Why was Charles' execution a significant turning point in terms of monarchy and divine right?

'De-sacralisation' of the monarchy - divorced monarchy from religion and destroyed the notion of divine right.

What did the Scots and the Irish do that showed that monarchy was still popular?

They immediately announced that Charles was still their King in spirit (a martyr) and proclaimed Charles II to be their King.

Why was there a question of legitimacy for the new regime?

Pride's purge, the trial and execution of Charles constituted a small minority so they lacked support.

What was the nature of the Interregnum (at the start)?

Reliance on the army for its survival which required a heavy tax burden.

What percentage of the population belonged to the Independent sects?

2-4% - majority within the army (radicalism) and leaders of these sects were vital to the new regime.

What were the 3 main governing bodies for the Commonwealth period?

The Rump, the Council of State and the New Model Army.

When was Charles II declared King of Scotland?

February 1649

What happened on the 17th March 1649?

The monarchy, Privy Council and the House of Lords were abolished.

What happened on the 19th May 1649?

The Rump declared the people of England to be a 'Commonwealth and Free State' governed by a single chamber Parliament without a King.

Cromwell's attitude towards the Irish Catholics

He said that "all the world knows their barbarism"

He wanted to secure Protestant and English control through stealing land from the native Irish

What did Cromwell do in Ireland?

Cromwell landed with 20,000 men to suppress the Catholic Royalist sympathisers and justified this massacre as divine providence

Defeat of royalism in Ireland

After 9 months, he established authority over much of Ireland and subjugation was completed by May 1652, the Irish lost their land which was transferred to English settlers and soldiers.

When and what was the Act of Settlement?

1652 - to punish the leaders of the 1641 rebellion (execution) and seize land from the Irish Catholics and move them to poorer lands.

The impact on the Irish

The war resulted in famine which was worsened by the outbreak of the bubonic plague, a drop in the Irish population of around 20-40%

When did Charles II land in Scotland?

On the 23rd June 1650

When was Charles crowned King of Scotland?

On the 1st January 1651

When was the Battle of Dunbar?

3rd September 1650

What happened at the Battle of Dunbar?

Cromwell invasion force reduced to 11,000 from 16,300, was weakened by a Scottish army. Cromwell turned it around with 3,000 Scots killed and 10,000 captured, only 30 NMA soldiers killed.

When was the Battle of Worcester?

3rd September 1651

What happened at the Battle of Worcester?

Charles was defeated by Cromwell and the NMA in the final battle of The Third Civil War.

Why was the defeat of royalism significant for Cromwell?

It suggested that he was carrying out God's will, the main military threats had been pacified and the regime was consolidated.