Petitions and Treaties: English Civil War OCR A Level

March 1647

“A Humble Petition of Officers and Soldiers”

Soldiers paid before disbandment

Finance for orphans and widows

Indemnity for wartime (pardon for war crimes)

March 1647 reply from Parliament

“Declaration of Dislike”

Under Denzel Holles

“enemies of the state and disturbers of the peace”

April 1647 practical move

The election of the Agitators

proto-levellers

protested grievances against parliament, especially the threat of disbandment

“New Agents” were elected by cavalry

participated in Putney Debates

April 1647 petition from army

“Vindication of the Officers of the Army”

Agitators called for impeachment of 11 MPs, like Holles

Agreed soldiers grievances were valid

June 1647 promise by army

“Solemn Engagement”

Cromwell and Ireton promised to disband the army as long as the grievances were resolved to the satisfaction of the Army Council

June 1647 List of grievances

“A Humble Remonstrance”

Under Fairfax and signed by united officers and soldiers

June 1647 Practical grievances

“The Representation of the Army”

A list of practical grievances by the General Council

Outlined NMA’s political role

Wanted fixed parliaments, freedom of religion, and freedom of the people

August 1647 Terms with Charles

“Heads of Proposals”

Peace terms directly to the king from the army

Wanted biennial parliaments, electoral reforms, parliament control of militia for 10 years, national church with bishops, some freedom of worship, and indemnity for all except 7 royalists

November 1648 Post second Civil war, last petition

“A Remonstrance, or Declaration of the Army”

primarily drafted by Ireton

End treaty of Newport negotiations, bring Charles to trial as “capitall grand author of the late troubles”