Charles 1640-1646 Flashcards
why did C summon the long parli
Charles needed money to fight the Scots and end their occupation of Northumberland. Failure to call Parliament before the First Bishop War’s had deprived Charles of much needed money to fight the war effectively and had undermined the legitimacy of it.
how unified was the puritan opo. 1640
The Puritan opposition contained Protestant extremists who were motivated by a fear of popery (opposition to the Arminian reforms) and fear of royal absolutism (as shown by Charles’ financial policies and not calling Parliament for 11 years) and **moderates who wanted to undo the 1630s policies and return to the situation pre-1629. They thought some of their fellow Puritans were too extreme – they supported Bishops and the prayer book but they thought the King had overstepped his authority**. They can be called constitutional royalists.
At the beginning of the Long Parliament, there were 400 country MPs (opposition to the King) and 64 Court MPs (supporters of the King). As the Parliament progressed, the King gained more support because it was felt the hardcore Puritans were going too far.
The role of religion in the emergence of a Royalist party 1640-1642
At the beginning of the Long Parliament, the MPs were united in their opposition to the Laudian reforms and the desire to preserve the traditional establishment of the Church of England (as created under Elizabeth). However, as the Parliament progressed they became were divided between traditionalists – supporters of the moderate Anglican settlement of Elizabeth and James – and the radicals who favoured a Puritan approach.
The radicalism of the Puritans* drove the moderates into the arms of the King*, in particular their Presbyterianism (the removal of bishops and the selection of the clergy by the congregation), rejection of vestments and church decoration, including altar rails and the position of communion tables, their emphasis on preaching and their refusal to follow the Book of Prayer followed. Traditionalists feared, in particular, that the removal of bishops would lead to a questioning of secular (non-traditional) authority. There had been social unrest in Lincolnshire and Windsor which traditionalists believed had been inspired by the calls to remove bishops.
On the other hand, the radicals were driven by fears of a popish plot, exacerbated by the failed army plot in May 1641. Army officers were planning to bring the army, that had tried to fight the Scots, from York to London to release Strafford from prison and force the dissolution of Parliament. The King sent a hundred soldiers to take the Tower of London (the main military position in London) but the Tower was too well defended and the plot collapsed. There was also fear that the King might try to gain support from abroad – either from the Old English Catholics in Ireland or Catholic powers in Europe. The Queen, Henrietta Maria, was known to be seeking help from foreign Catholic powers, and there were rumours that Strafford was doing so too.
Charles tried to placate (reassure) the religious radicals by appointing Laud’s enemy and renowned Puritan, John Williams, who had been imprisoned in the 1630s, to be the Archbishop of York (the second most important position in the Church of England). This showed he was willing to listen to Puritan views. He also wrote to the Lords reassuring them that he wanted to maintain the church established by Elizabeth. However, his actions in Scotland and in Ireland undermined these attempts. In Scotland, Charles promised that his key officials in Scotland would be approved by the Scottish Parliament but then went on to appoint the arch royalist, the Earl of Morton, as his Chancellor. He was also implicated in a plot, called the ‘Incident’, to seize and possibly assassinate the Covenanter leaders. Charles protested his innocence to the Scottish Parliament with several hundred armed men in toe, which made him look guilty, but then had to appoint leading Covenanters to key positions in the Scottish Court. The Irish Rebellion of November 1641 increased fears of a popish plot. The Catholic Old English rose up against the influence of the New English and because Charles went back on his promise to confirm the Graces and end further plantations. Some of the Old English saw the uprising as showing support for the King against the English Parliament. The uprising was particularly violent and there were stories of atrocities, many of which were untrue, but helped to stoke fear of Catholics in England.
Different views of the causes of the English Civil War
1640-42
Whig view – inevitable rise of liberal democracy
Marxist view – social and economic changes leading to the rise of the bourgeoisie (gentry)
Revisionist view – the Civil War was not inevitable but due to the absolutist centralising reforms of Charles versus a traditional Parliament
Post-revisionist view – importance of the three disunited kingdoms versus the central importance of England
The outbreak of the Civil War Jan 1642-August 1642
After the attempted arrest of the Five Members, any hope of a compromise or a working relationship between Crown and Parliament had been lost. During this period both sides were trying to gain authority over the country and prepare for war. There are two key events during this period which help to trigger Civil War
what are two key events during this period which help to trigger Civil War
1642
- militia ordinance
- the nineteen proposition
when was the militia ordinance
march 1642
when were the 19 propositions
June 1642
Militia Ordinance, March 1642.
The Militia Bill of 1641 was changed into an ordinance which meant that Parliament did not require the assent of the King. Through the ordinance, Parliament claimed the right to control the summoning of the militia and the ability to appoint Lord Lieutenants to lead the militia.
The Nineteen Propositions, June 1642.
This was the final proposal from Parliament for a new working relationship with Charles. It can be argued that Parliament deliberately made the propositions radical so that Charles would reject them and then could be characterised as the unreasonable party in the dispute.
C’s response to 19 propositions
The document confirmed Charles’ belief that Parliament was being manipulated by a ‘few factious spirits’
He rejected the proposal as infringing upon his royal prerogative and divine right.
Charles claimed to be the protector of the traditional constitution where there was a balance of powers between the King, the Lords and the MPs.
He claimed to be the protector of the Church of England
charles view on the 19 propositions
For Charles, the Nineteen Propositions were a ‘subversion of the fundamental laws’ and claimed the document was a threat to private property, the Lords, and monarchical authority. He felt he had no other choice but to declare war.
when/ what was the ‘call to arms’
In July 1642, Parliament raised an army under the command of the Earl of Essex. August 22 1642, Charles raised his standard in Nottingham (which ominously was to fall down that night in a storm) and war began.
The course and outcome of the First Civil War
aug 1642 - aug 1643
Charles is dominant during this period, but failing to knock out Parliament’s forces or capture London.
The Battle of Edgehill (Oct 1642) is indecisive but Royalist cavalry perform well.
Charles attempts to capture London, leading to the** Battle of Turnham Green in Nov 1642**. Yet, Charles delays the attack and Londoners sign up to defend their city against Charles. The King’s army withdraws to Oxford which remains the Royalist capital for the rest of the war. This was the last time the Royalists came so close to London.
The Royalist cavalry shows its strength in the Battle of Roundway Down in July 1643. Parliament’s entire Western Association army had been wiped out in the most sweeping victory of the civil wars.
The Royalists capture Bristol after a prolonged siege in July 1643.
The course and outcome of the First Civil War
aug 1643 - july 1644
The tide of the war was beginning to change in Parliament’s favour, but still inconclusive.
In August 1643 the Royalists fail to capture Gloucester after a prolonged siege.
In September 1643 the 1st Battle of Newbury results in a stalemate. Both forces were evenly matched with around 14,000 men.
Parliament agrees the Solemn League and Covenant with the Scots in September 1643, leading to a Scottish invasion against Charles. Parliament and the Scots meet Charles in the Battle of Marston Moor (1st July 1644) which results in a decisive Parliamentary victory, forcing the Royalists out of Northern England.
BUT, as Manchester said, “If we defeat him 99 times he will be king still, but if he beats us once, we shall all be hanged.”
The course and outcome of the First Civil War
winter 1644-45
Parliament gains the advantage.
There is a change in command of the Parliamentarians, leading to Cromwell becoming a key political and military figure. The “war group” – who were determined to win the war – gain the upper hand.
Parliament reorganises its army and creates England first professional military force – the New Model Army with the Self-Denying Ordinance passed in January 1645.
The course and outcome of the First Civil War
summer 1645 onwards
Parliament gains control.
The last major set piece battle of the war occurs at Naseby in June 1645. Parliament wins decisively. The Royalists army is shattered. There is no realistic hope of a Royalist victory after Naseby. Royalists attempt to carry on but eventually realise that their cause is lost. Charles surrenders himself to the Scots in May 1646 after the Parliamentarian capture of Oxford, ending the First Civil War.
the formation of the new model army
In January 1645 the Parliamentary army was reformed into the New Model Army. The army combined three major armies, formerly under the command of Essex, Manchester and Waller, into a national professional and well-organised army. The army was **well-equipped through the sustainably funded Weekly Assessments – allocated £53,000 per month. **
the military advantages of the New Model Army were many. Importantly, it had a balanced military composition of **6,000 cavalry, 14,000 infantry, 1,000 dragoons **(mounted infantry using firearms rather than swords). Soldiers had standardised uniforms and equipment which gave them a professional advantage.
The New Model Army had a** clear chain of command, with three leading generals – Fairfax, Cromwell, and Skippon**. A standardised training manual resulted in high discipline, which was a clear contrast to royalist cavalry indiscipline in the early phases of the war. Promotion to the officer ranks was more likely to be due to ability rather than social standing. This was a godly army – many of the rank and file soldiers were committed Puritans and looting and pillaging was strongly discouraged.
The advantages of the New Model Army can be evidenced by their decisive victory at the Battle of Naseby in June 1645. In this battle, the New Model army routed Charles forces decisively. Cromwell’s cavalry chased Rupert’s cavalry off the battlefield, but were disciplined enough to return and attack Charles’ infantry.
After Naseby, the war was effectively won and a ‘mopping up’ operation occurred in the south-west.
royalists strengths
listed
- tradition and loyality
- broad support
- financial backing
- strong cavalry
- unified command structure
tradition and loyality
royalists strengths
The King was traditionally the commander-in-chief which meant many were willing to serve without much convincing. England was a conservative country where many felt their natural allegiance was towards the King. Some even believed in his Divine Right to rule.
Many more did not want this war, and it was not, at least initially, one that many felt largely invested in. Many people’s default response to war was to fight for the King and many viewed Parliamentarians as ‘rebels’.
