Trial and Execution of Charles Flashcards
What was the Newport Treaty and what developments followed?
18 September at the Newport town hall, Isle of Wight. Parliament had Presbyterians such as Denzil Holles, and Independents such as Duke of Richmond and Southampton. Charles was easily pushed to give up the militia for 20 years, but was much more stubborn about religion. In August Parliament established a Presbyterian Church system. Even Charles’ advisors told him to give Parliament what they wanted. In October 1648 Charles was told to give up bishops, but he insisted to wait and conclude alliance with the Confederate Catholics in Ireland, regain revenue, surrender episcopacy for three years only, refuse to sign the Solemn League and Covenant, and have an act of oblivion on both sides. On 27 Oct Parliament rejected the proposal.
September 1648, what petition did Levellers establish?
Whose support did they gain?
On 11 September 1648, Levellers issued a petition to Fairfax urging high command to end negotiations with Charles, and complaining about having to take free quarter and arrears, which slowed to the end of 1648. Sir Henry Ireton, having opposed the Levellers, now was disillusioned with Charles and offered his support, enhancing the Leveller’s standing against King and Parliament.
Commons rejected the petition and resumed negotiations with Charles at Newport a week later. The army was mopping up Royalist resistance.
10th November, and 15th November. What discussions took place? 1648
10 Nov – Ireton drafts remonstrance before council of officers calling for a purge of Parliament, and trial of Charles. Fairfax resisted it and the council agreed, only 6 votes against, to accept Parliament’s negotiations with Charles.
15th Nov – council of officers put final proposals to Charles making him a figurehead, having regular Parliament elections, and redistribution of seats. Ireton had support from rank and file, and council was affected. On the same day, the Commons resolved to allow Charles to come to London in a position of lawful power.
What happened on 16 November? 1648
16 November – Parliament issues final proposals. Lilburne’s remonstrance was issued to set a committee representing the army, Levellers, London Independents and Independent MPs. However, the army didn’t want liberty of Conscience for Catholics – Levellers did. And Levellers argued Parliament had no power to punish anyone under law which wasn’t existing, while army representatives wanted to keep the possibility of putting Charles on trial. On 20 November it was presented to Commons and they resolved to lay it aside a week.
What happened on 3rd and 5th of December to concern the army in 1648?
3 Dec 1648 – Bill passed to give Parliament militia control, meaning militia would ultimately be disbanded.
5 Dec – Vote of No Addresses disbanded.
There was real fear Charles would be able to gain conservative support in London and royalists would insist on most of his powers being restored in settlement. This was also a betrayal of God’s cause. MPs voted to renew addresses to Charles on the basis of his answers to the Four Bills.
What was Pride’s Purge?
6 Dec 1648 – Colonel Pride’s regiment sits outside Parliament and refuses MP entrance for those who supported negotiations with Charles. A few MPs were imprisoned, conservative leaders, and 186 were excluded.
A rump of 70 was left to maintain legal authority, Ireton was convinced to accept this by Sir Arthur Haselrig.
This Rump would bring Charles to trial. On 7 December Cromwell acknowledged his approval of the events and resumed his seat in Parliament.
Outline key dates of Charles’ trial? 1649
1 Jan – Ordinance establishes High Court to try the King, passed in Commons but rejected in the Lords.
4 Jan – Rump passes Three Resolutions to be sole authority to make law.
20 Jan – Charles’ trial begins. Denied right to a court to try him and refused to enter plea.
27 Jan – Found guilty and sentenced to a trial. Charles was accused of shedding innocent blood, being a tyrant, disrupting trade, ruining land, and overthrowing the rights of his people and Parliament.
30 Jan – Executed.
What speech was made when Charles was executed?
Charles made a speech claiming he had never started the war, that only the monarchy guaranteed people’s freedom, that the country was being governed by the sword’s power, and that he was a martyr of the people.
Many in Britain were shocked by the sacrilege of killing the monarch.
What happened in 1649 after Charles was executed?
13 February – A Council of State to govern.
17 March – Abolition of monarchy.
19 March – Abolition of Lords.
19 May – Britain to enter Commonwealth.
What arguments surround Charles’ death?
BARRY COWARD: An English Revolution took place on 30 January 1649. Certainly it was revolutionary that Charles was put on trial for acting against his people and committing treason. Treason is usually against the monarch, but the public redefined it.
The action was taken by an armed minority who defended the liberty they had fought for. Charles’ promises were seen as empty. If Charles couldn’t return to power, he would have to be killed. His beliefs wouldn’t let him abdicate. Charles would only continue to raise armies to be restored. The army and Rump acted publicly in the name of the people and bolstered by their belief of God. Circumstances made it necessary.
