Case Study 5- The English Civil War

Civil War

A war fought within a country instead of against a foreign threat

Divine Right

The belief that a monarch was appointed by God and thus only accountable to God

Arminianism

A form of Protestantism that favoured more of the ceremonial and decorative features of Catholicism

Reasons for tensions between the Stuarts and MPs by 1625

- Each time James called Parliament, it ended with conflict between the King and MPs over the extent to which each held power
- He avoided foreign wars but many MPs weren't happy that he didn't fight to protect Protestantism in Europe
- He executed Sir Walter Raleigh
- He wanted to marry his heir to the Spanish, Catholic princess
- Can't manage his finances

James I

The first Stuart to be king of England and Ireland from 1603 to 1625 and king of Scotland from 1567 to 1625

Duke of Buckingham

Royal favourite of BOTH James and Charles

Charles I

King of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1625-1649). His power struggles with Parliament resulted in the English Civil War (1642-1648) in which Charles was defeated. He was tried for treason and beheaded in 1649

Henrietta Maria

Charles I’s Catholic and French wife

2 countries that Charles I sought war with

France and Spain

Years which Charles refused to call Parliament and its name

1629- 1640
Personal Rule or II Year of Tyranny

William Laud

Archbishop of Canterbury in 1633 under Charles I in England. He tried to force the Scottish to use the English Book of Common Prayer. He was later executed by Parliament during the English Civil War.

Ship Money and Forest Fines

Unpopular tax abused by Charles collected throughout mid 1630s

Laudian Reforms

Ornaments, candles, statues, paintings and vestments all bought in and the clergy separated from congregation during sermons

John Hampden

MP who challenged Charles of his abuse of taxes in court. Charles won

Star chamber

Privy council used by Charles- seen as an abuse of power

Pyrnne, Burton, Bastwick

3 Puritans who criticised Chares and were pilloried as a result

Scottish National Covenant

Scottish rebellion group formed in opposition to Laudian reforms in 1637

1640

Year the Scots invade North England

Strafford

Charles' general in Ireland, recalled in 1640 to help deal with the scots

Ireland

Charles considered using this catholic army to help with the scots

John Pym

Leading radical MP who attacked Charles' powers in Parliament

What did Charles had to comprise?

- The Triennial Act
- Abolition of Ship Money and Star Chamber
- Strafford would be executed
- Laud would be imprisoned

Triennial Act

Law that forces Charles to call Parliament every 3 years

Ship Money and Star Chamber

2 things that were abolished by parliament in 1640-41

The Grand Remonstrance

List of Grievances bought to Parliament by John Pym, with over 200 complaints against the King in November 1641

Five Members Coup 1642

Attempt by Charles I to arrest5 leading MPs in Parliament- it failed and sparked the outbreak of civil war

When was the Irish Rebellion?

October 1641

Militia Bill 1641

Attempt to take control of the army

English Civil War

series of conflicts between supporters of Charles I and supporters of Parliament between 1642-1648

Cavalier

Supporters of King Charles I, also known as royalists. Many of the old nobility and large landowners supported the King and the traditional power structures

Roundhead

Supporters of Parliament, also known as parliamentarians. Many of the newer gentry supported Parliament and the principles of restricted monarchy Puritans were a leading force. Most weren't in favour of regicide

Geographic and Economic advantages Parliament had over Charles

- Control over London (huge industrial, economic, population and trade advantage)
- Control over London printing presses (Parliamentarians could create mass propaganda)
- Control over wealthier South England (more tax)
- Control over Southern and Eastern coastlines (controls navy and can block foreign supporters)
- Parliamentarian territory easily connected (easy movement of armies)

Propaganda advantages Parliament had

- Used to undermine the moral of the enemy
- Demonise royalist commanders like Prince Rupert linking him to atrocities and devilry
- Used to link Charles to Catholicism
- More support for Parliament and shows sophisticated NON VIOLENT methods of protest

The New Model Army advantages

* Professional Parliamentary Army established in 1645 led by Thomas Fairfax then Oliver Cromwell


1. Meritocracy- promoted by MERIT not social class so the generals would be good, experienced fighters


2. Discipline- all soldiers had to follow strict rules
3. Religion- army mad up of puritans and strict protestants
4. Professionalism- all soldiers are fully trained and paid. They are determined and want to be there and fight

Battle of Naseby 1645

- June 1645, the Battle of Naseby saw 14,000 New Model Army soldiers fight 9,000 royalists
- The Army won through superior discipline and by flanking the Royalist army
- Charles' army was destroyed, his artillery lost and his private letters captured- showing contact with the French

When did Charles surrender?

1646- Parliament offered him many deals but refused all of them

When was the second english civil war and what triggered it?

1647- Charles wrote letters to the Scottish convenant which said he would establish Presbyterianism in England and Scotland

What happened in December 1648?

The New Model Army didn't want to negotiate with Charles anymore. Pride's Purge happened , the New Model Army blocked MPs who supported negotiations from entering the commons

What was the Rump Parliament?

MPs who were left after Pride's Purge and they voted to put the King on trial for treason. The trial began in January 1649

What happened during the trial?

- When Charles entered Oliver Cromwell said "I tell you we will cut his head off with the crown upon it"
- At the beginning Charles refused to enter the plea
- On the 2nd day Charles was given a chance to speak
- Parliament found Charles guilty of treason and was executed on the 30th January 1649

Regicide

killing of a king

What was the immediate significance of regicide?

- A monarch who had abused power and ignored the role of Parliament was held to account and removed
- Trial of the King before PARLIAMENT was a clear demonstration of the influence and power of Parliament
- Execution of the King demonstrated the real limits of monarchy and undermined Divine Right
- Trial and execution led to abolition of the monarchy and House of Lords- HUGE change to British political system
- After regicide, laws about religious toleration were introduces and people were free to practice the protestant faith how they wished

English Republic

The period between 1649-1660, during which England was governed without a monarch. Sometimes known as the 'Protectorate'

Interregnum

The alternative name given to the English Republic meaning suspension of normal government

Reasons why the English Republic was significant in developing British liberties and freedoms

- The monarchy and House of Lords were abolished for 11 years. For the 1st time England was ruled by Parliament and Council of State
- Protestants had freedom of religion during the republic
- The new political thinking and ideas led to groups within the army debating radical new theories of government. 'levellers' debated extending the vote to all men and 'Diggers' supported redistribution of all land
- During the Putney Debates (1647) New Model Army soldiers debated democratic ideas like suffrage
- Cromwell was seen as a symbol of Parliamentary rule and democracy

Reasons why the English Republic was NOT significant in developing British liberties and freedoms

- New Model Army played a significant role in politics and forcibly dissolved Rump Parliament in 1653
- Cromwell crushed most radical groups like the Levellers. Their leader, John Lilburne was imprisoned
- Cromwell carried out massacres of the population especially Catholics when faced with rebellion
- By 1660, the Republic was deeply divided and Parliament invited Charles Stuart to reclaim the throne
- Oliver Cromwell's statue has been regularly vandalised

Reasons why Oliver Cromwell deserves to be celebrated and a significant figure in British history

- In 1653, Cromwell accepted the role as Lord Protector. He was King in all but name
- Led the republic in a successful war against the Dutch Republic
- In 1657, Cromwell was so powerful he was offered the crown. He denied it
- He was seen as a symbol of Parliamentary rule and democracy
- When Cromwell died in 1658, he was succeed by his son and he lacked influence so resigned the next year

Reasons why Oliver Cromwell DOESN'T deserve to be celebrated and a significant figure in British history

- Faced resistance to some of his social + political reforms. Each district was ruled by a Major General with the army used to enforce the reforms by force
- Legal restrictions were put on parts if society deemed 'Ungodly' by Puritans
- Cromwell crushed radical groups like the Levellers. Their leader was imprisoned by Cromwell
- Cromwell carried out massacres of the population especially Catholics when faced with rebellion
- Cromwell has been critiqued as a tyrant and military ruler who used brutality to control Parliament and Britain

Short Term outcomes

- The monarchy and House of Lord are abolished
- Charles I killed
- England ruled by Parliament
- Ignoring of Rump Parliament- military power are english politics- freedom of religion
- Divine Right is fully undermined

Long Term outcomes

- Sets a precedent where english government has clear power to hold the monarch to account which impacts future generations - Charles II (1660) restored to the throne bound by Parliament
- Parliament's power grows significantly over the coming centuries while the monarch diminishes
- Influenced future suffragette movements