history- civil war, yr 8

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR- 1642

the english civil war was a war between royalists and parlimentarians

parlimentarians won

ROYALISTS

the royalists belived that the king was the only one who should rule

Nickname- cavaliers

Reason for Nickname- it comes from the latin cavalirio meaning spanish trooper- an insulting reference to to the forign catholic influence in the kings army

they were supported well in the North of england, parts of the south west, Ireland and all of wales.

in the civil war, charles based himself in Oxford

in 1643, Charles declared Parliment to be illegal

Problems for them- they were easily distracted, unfocused and unprepared

PARLIMENTARIANS

the parlimentarians beleived that the parliment and people should have power also

Nickname- roundheads

Reason for nickname- they all had shaven heads, which contrasted to the long hair of the king and his courts

they wanted to reduce the power of the king by forcing him to agree to limits on his power

the were supported in London, the midlands, the south east and Scotland.

they wanted to protect the rights of the parliment to preform its traditional role such as deciding taxes and important laws

Problems for them- they did not think it through, they let the royalists go

MAJOR BATTLES

THE BATTLE OF EDGEHILL, 23rd OCT 1642- draw

ADWALTON MOOR, 30th JUN 1643- Royalist victory

ROUNDWAY DOWN, 13th JUL 1643- Royalist victory

MARSTON MOOR, 2nd JULY 1644- Roundhead victory

SECOND BATTLE OF NEWBURY, 27th OCT 1644- Roundhead win, but allowed Royalists to escape

WHY DID THE PARLIMENT WIN?

  • they had the support of the scots

  • they had over 20,000 soldiers

  • the soldiers were looked after and prevented from getting drunk

  • the soldiers were stronger and well rested so had more stamina

  • they parliment had well respected leaders

  • the army was well organised

THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF CHARLES I

he was convicted of high treason

he was not allowed a lawyer

high treason can only be commited against the king (he was the king)

in the end he was executed on 30 January 1649