Radicalism and the Bishops' Wars

Radicalism, Dissent, and the Approach of War

The Scottish Business

In 1638, William Lord expressed deep apprehension about the state of affairs in a letter to Thomas Wentworth, foreseeing potential evils and a lack of solutions without divine intervention.
The Scottish issue took center stage in July 1637 when the Dean of Saint Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh attempted to introduce the new Scottish prayer book.
Demonstrators had organized in advance, armed with projectiles, to protest the prayer book.
Legend says Janet (Jenny) Geddes, a cabbage seller, initiated the confrontation by yelling at the dean.

The Spread of Religious Radicalism

Religious radicalism encompasses various facets, marking a shift from Puritanism.
It emphasizes individual connections with God and recognizing the Holy Spirit's presence.
It promotes tolerance, relaxed conformity, and the mobilization of ordinary individuals to improve the political landscape.
Religious radicalism saw a surge between 1640 and 1660, with groups like the Quakers, Seekers, Ranters, and Muggletonians emerging.
The seeds of this radicalism were sown in the late 1630s.
Future radical sects were often led by educated men, such as Richard Overton, who attended university during the 1630s.
These individuals typically had conventional educational backgrounds aimed at careers in law or the church.
University environments exposed them to religious debates and critical thinking, challenging traditional ways of thought.

Early Radical Practice

Archbishop Lord's push for conformity polarized the church, leading some Puritans to emigrate or resist Lord directly.
Opposition to the Laudian church resulted in congregations separating from the Anglican Church to form independent communities of faith.
The concept of independent churches was radical in Stuart England.
Elizabeth I and James I aimed to keep the Church of England broad, marginalizing dissenters as too extreme.
Independent churches had existed since the Reformation but were few and had limited influence.
William Roth, originally a middle-of-the-road Anglican clergyman, became a committed Puritan after a parishioner's sudden death.
In 1633, Roth refused to read the Book of Sports and faced consequences.
He resigned in 1638 and established the first independent church in Wales in 1639, modeling it after New England's nonconformist churches.
Roth's church joined a small tradition of independent churches and was assisted by Henry Jesse.
Until the late 1630s, the number of independent congregations remained relatively small.

King or Covenant

Roth's church was part of a growing movement that would significantly expand in the 1640s.
Mismanagement by Charles and his archbishop led to the King's first internal war and the English Civil War.
The Kirk was ordered to use the new prayer book from July 1637, sparking opposition in Scotland.
Riots occurred in Saint Giles and Glasgow, with Robert Bailey avoiding the Glasgow service.
Resistance grew, and petitions against the policy increased.
Further riots caused the Scottish Privy Council to abandon Edinburgh in October.
Charles, influenced by Lord and Wentworth, refused to yield and declared protests against the prayer book as treason in February 1638.
In response, Scottish Parliament formed the Tables and created the National Covenant in February 1638.
The Covenant was a promise not to comply with the transformation of the Kirk.
This action aligned with Scottish tradition, where collective refusal was a means of resistance in the absence of a representative parliament.
Scottish law allowed for regional government to oppose the king.
The Scottish nobility did not expect the covenant to lead to war.
Hundreds of thousands of Scots signed the covenant, becoming known as Covenanters.
Charles was left with the choice to back down or enforce his will.
Charles refused to yield, stating he would rather die than concede to the Covenanters' demands.

The Bishops' War

Armed conflicts became imminent, and both sides mobilized.
To buy time, Charles allowed the Scots to call a religious General Assembly at Glasgow in November 1638, which abolished the prayer book.
By April 1639, war was imminent, known as the Bishops' War due to the central issue of episcopacy.
The Covenanters mobilized quickly, surprising Charles.
The King's army lacked resources.
The Covenanters acquired weapons and equipment from Protestant powers in Northern Europe.
Local committees raised taxes to fund mobilization.
Charles struggled to fund his army, relying on non-parliamentary finance.

The Scottish Army

Many deserted the King's army due to lack of pay.
Ship money receipts decreased due to the Hampton case and sympathy for the Covenanters.
Collection rates fell from 90% to 20%.
Charles attempted to raise money for militia support but faced opposition.

Composition of Forces

Covenanters: Experienced Scottish soldiers returned from the Thirty Years' War to train recruits. The nobility mobilized local soldiers using a Swedish military system. They sought help from the King of France.
King's Army: Included Wentworth's Protestant Irish army and loyalist Scottish Highland nobility. English nobility were summoned to York to pledge allegiance and provide resources. Charles forced men into the army instead of using the local militia. Charles planned to bring Catholic troops from Ireland and Spain, allowing a Spanish army to cross Southern England.

Size and Leadership

Covenanters: Approximately 12,000 men led by General Alexander Leslie, a veteran of the Thirty Years' War. Regimental commanders were drawn from the nobility. The army was efficiently directed by professional soldiers. The Earl of Argyll provided strong political leadership.
King's Army: Approximately 15,000 men led by the Earl of Arundel, supported by the Earl of Essex. Lord Holland was put in charge of the cavalry, causing annoyance.

Discipline and Order

Covenanters: Well-disciplined, highly motivated, and expertly commanded.
King's Army: Disorderly and ill-prepared, with troops committing robberies, riots, and murder.

Outline of Charles' Strategy

Hamilton would lead an assault on the Northeast Coast of Scotland with 5,000 men.
A loyal nobleman would lead a royalist force to join Hamilton.
Naval forces would blockade the Scottish coast.
Troops would be transported from Ulster to Western Scotland, led by the Earl of Antrim, Randall MacDonald.
More forces from Ireland would strengthen the garrison at Carlisle.
The main English army would assemble at Berwick Upon Tweed and move north.

The Pacification of Berwick

The English army mustered at Berwick Upon Tweed, and the Scottish army assembled 12 miles away in Duns.
Charles ordered an advance into Scotland, and Lord Holland's cavalry ran ahead of the infantry into the Scottish army.
Leslie distributed his forces strategically, making them appear stronger.
Holland's cavalry retreated and exaggerated Scottish strength.

Second Bishop's War

Charles negotiated the Pacification of Berwick in June 1639 due to running out of money and facing a superior Scottish force.
The agreement involved disbanding armies and recalling the Scottish General Assembly and Parliament.

Options Available to Charles

Strengthen his circle of advisors: Thomas Wentworth was recalled from Ireland and became the Earl of Strafford. Strafford advised Charles to remain strong.
Rethink his Scottish Policy: Charles could abandon his Scottish reforms, remodel the Scottish Privy Council and allow Scottish governing bodies to work in their traditional ways.
Raise more money for a military campaign: Charles recalled parliament in 1640, but dissolved it after three weeks because he resented having to call it.
Negotiate with European Powers: Negotiate with King Philip IV of Spain and Pope Urban VIII for financial aid in exchange for concessions for Irish and British Catholics.
Surrender to Scottish Demands: Charles would have to allow Scotland to dismantle royal power and govern itself. This was unthinkable.
Despite the pacification, neither side disbanded their armies.
Charles asserted that compromises should not be taken as precedents.
The Scottish General Assembly confirmed the decisions made by the Glasgow Assembly of 1638.
The Scottish Parliament abolished episcopacy and dismantled royal power.
Charles decided to renew the war against Scotland.
With unrest in the country and limited support, the Scottish army launched a preemptive attack on Northumberland in July 1640.
The English army was effectively leaderless, and the Covenanters took Newcastle and advanced towards York.
Leading Covenanters communicated with English opponents of the king.

Conclusion

With no options remaining, Charles called a Council of Peers in York in September 1640.
The council advised making peace swiftly.
In October, the King signed the Treaty of Ripon with the Covenanters.

Impact of the Scottish Wars

In England: Opinions varied.
- Anxiety: William Lord expressed concerns about the overall state of affairs.
- Faith: Lady Bruliana Harley and other Puritan leaders believed in divine intervention.
- Enmity: Thomas Widebank expressed strong animosity towards the Scots.
- Optimism: Some hoped the Bishop's War would lead to the recall of parliament and allow discussion of grievances.
In Scotland: In August 1640, a group of 18 Scottish nobles, led by the Earl of Montrose, formed the Cumberland Band, expressing loyalty to the king and concern over radicalism within the Covenanters.