13. The failure to secure a post-war settlement: post-war divisions and regicide 1648-49 Flashcards
(8 cards)
Post-SCW Army approach (3)
Nov ‘48 - Ireton decisive (OC fighting in the North) in Army Council
1) Proposal to formally dissolve Pment rejected - election would return same scenario
2) Decided MPs who’d voted in favour of contiuing negotiations (in Treaty of Newport whilst C held in Isle of Wight) would be secluded from the HoC + ring leaders arrested by Army
3) On Nov 18 Ireton published the Remonstrance of the Army - demanding removal of C - put on trial - imprisoned, deposed or forced into exile (+ purge of Pment)
Prides Purge (4)
6 Dec ‘48
1) Follows 129/212 MPs voting to continue the Treaty of Newport on 5 Dec
2) Colonel Thomas Pride’s regiment w/ Lord Grey of Groby (idenitifed MPs in favour of settlement) - arrested approx. 110 MPs (+ 260 didn’t attend w/ foreknowledge) - put into pub called “Hell” - military coup
3) Remaining MP’s - approx. 50 initially - became the Rump (altogether abt 160 MPs) - confirms Charles’ death warrant w/ Army purging opposition - ‘that man of blood’ next
4) OC returns to LND in afternoon + sides w/ army (no choice) - can’t be held accountable (never on the board for C’s execution)
Three Resolutions 1649 (2)
4 Jan
1) After Rump agreed to est. High Court of Justice on Jan 1 - needed to be ratified by HoLs
2) 3 resolutions declare Acts passed by the HoC had the force of law (regardless of the HoL’s assent) - cleared the way of C’s trail - OC had overcome indecision - “we will cut of his head with the crown on it” - day before trial
Charles on trial (4)
1) 135 commissioners appointed as judges (makes it legit), but more than 1/2 refused to serve (incl. Fairfax attended - only one meeting)
2) Charged C w/ attempting to ‘overthrow the rights + liberties of people’, ‘traitorously + maliciously levied war against the present Pment’ - therefore ‘guilt of all treasons’ - acted against the country
3) C displayed a quiet dignity throughout (helped ensure the restoration) claimed court was unlawful - wouldn’t answer to it - no-one could “call his life or anything he possesses his own” (staunch DRoKs belief - tbf it had no legal precedent) - no chance he would admit to his own illegality
3) 27 Jan sentenced to death - refusal to plead taken as admission of guilt (by 59 judges)
4) Executed 30 Jan (3 days after sentenced) - declared he was a dying a matyr of the Anglican Church on the scaffold
Dec ‘48 - Jan ‘49 Debate over the first Agreement of the People (Whitehall Debates) (3 points of disagreement)
Levellers (unconvinced from the start of Rump) meet w/ Army council.
Points of disagreement (considering new constitutional framework for the Republic - 2nd AofP made by L):
1) Franchise to be extended (currently no elections)
2) Extent of religious freedom + toleration (republic claiming to be a gov for the people)
3) sovereignty of the people (L) v. parliamentary sovereignty (AC)
Failed after Levellers denounced Rump
How important was (the Rump’s) suppressing the Leveller leadership in keeping the army onside?
Through agitators (‘agents’) they worked to instill mutinity i(meant rank + file against their superiors + leadership - L attacked OC + Ireton as hypocrites etc.) - problematic for OC - needed to appease them as they gave Pment power but eventually suppressed them: Mar ‘49 - L leaders arrested for propaganda against the Rump Pment
Repression of Levellers
1) Mar ‘49, Lilburne + other leaders arrested after they attack OC + Ireton (for being outmaneuvered by Grandees) - Baptist churches publicly disassociate themselves from the movement
2) 3rd Agreement of the Peopl attempted to inspire army mutiny + criticised Rump as unrepresentative of the people (no election after C’s trial) but response limited + immediately crushed by OC + Burford in May ‘49
3) Failed to regain power since NMA was paid by the Rump, reducing unrest
Repression of the Diggers
St George’s Hill commune destroyed after a year (from being set up in Mar ‘49) mainly bc it angered local elite (didn’t like Diggers rejection of their power + rule over locals) + to restore political authority
(communes existed in Kent, Middlesex, Nottinghamshire etc. but all destroyed)
