CW2: Divisions between Parliament and NMA Flashcards
How was plmt divided by the end of CWI?
PPs and PIs
PPs were led by Holles and Stapleton - moderate, conservative socially/politically, opposed religious tolerance, wanted disbandment and quick negotiated settlement
PIs were led by Cromwell and Ireton - radical, disliked authoritarian Pres, advocated religious tolerance, allied with NMA, wanted a settlement that limited royal prerogative and prevented future abuse
How did the PPs initially have the upper hand in negotiating with Charles?
Give 2 points
1/4 had experienced death in CWI - by 1646, the country was weary and wanted a quick peace - leant PPs more influence
Offered the 1646 July Newcastle Propositions - stated Charles had to accept Pres in England for 3 years, plmt control of the militia for 20 years, retention of Triennial Act, all but 58 royalists would be pardoned
How did Charles seek to exploit divisions within plmt?
He stalled by not accepting the NP, though a relatively moderate settlement - PPs revised NP stating dissolution of NMA minus a small force to be sent to Ireland and replaced by a safer force constituted of the London trained bands
How did plmt politicise the NMA?
Give 2 points
1647 Declaration of Dislike - branded NMA soldiers petitioning plmt as ‘enemies of the state and disturbers of the public peace’
Refused to address their grievances - no idemnity act and voted disbandment in May 1647 with only 8 weeks arrears of pay, not the £3 mil. it was owed
What factors pushed the NMA into the political fold?
Animosity created by PPs, absence of recognition of NMA grievances and perceived leniency of NPs
What organisation did the NMA establish for political involvement?
June 1647 - ordered by Fairfax a general meeting at New Market formed GCA - made of Fairfax, Cromwell, Ireton, 2 commissioned officers and 2 elected adjutators from each regiment - designed to lead army to settlement
How did the NMA begin to separate itself from plmt and specifically the PPs?
Give 2 points
1647 - Vox Militaris stated NMA was not simply a mercenary army and had a right to ensure the cause for which it fought was continued
Purged itself of PP sympathisers in May-June so it was entirely independent of plmt
How did the NMA begin to negotiate its own settlement with Charles?
Give 3 points
2nd June 1647 - Cornet Joyce seized Charles from house arrest so the Grandees could negotiate their own settlement - distrusted Charles
7th June 1647 - Fairfax, Ireton and Cromwell commenced negotiations with plmt
16th July - ‘Heads of the Proposals’ presented to GCA at Reading - proposed settlement
How did the army establish its position independent of plmt?
Give 3 publications
4th June 1647 - produced Humble Remonstrance - declared it would not disband until its grievances, removal of PPs and indemnity act, were met - marched on London to place pressure on plmt
5th June 1647 - ‘Solemn Engagement’ informed plmt of NMA’s position
14th June 1647 - ‘Representation of the Army’ penned by Ireton, Cromwell and Lambert declared army’s political position - wanted a purge of plmt, future plmts to be of fixed duration and extension of religious freedom
What were the terms of ‘Heads’?
2nd Aug 1647
Disagreed with NP over issues like religion - ‘Heads’ wanted a CofE with no coercive power, while NPs wanted to enforce 3 years of Pres
Wanted biennial plmt, reform of plmt represenation, control of the army and navy and plmt to appoint great officers of state for 10 years, Act of Oblivion pardoned only a few royalists - seen as too moderate by some adjutators, who wanted to march on London and criticised Cromwell and Ireton
How could the ‘Heads’ be construed as moderate?
Some adjutators saw the terms as, who wanted to march on London and criticised Cromwell and Ireton
Was moderate on religious matters, but harsh on royalists and limited plmt power - radical, Leveller influences evident here
How did negotiations over the ‘Heads’ develop with Charles?
Grandees were desperate as PPs for settlement - 3rd july Ireton continued negotiations with the king until midnight, risked angering their own soldiers to achieve settlement
Charles did not accept ‘Heads’ and played on divisions between plmt, NMA and the Scots by conducting negotiations with them all - army was further radicalised by the realisation by the Putney Debates that Charles was stalling
How did tensions rise and then simmer between NMA and plmt before CWII?
26th July - Holles planned mob invasion of Commons, passed a resolution inviting Charles back to London
3rd Aug - NMA was just outside London and on 6th marched into Westminster
But Charles’ escape from Hampton Court in Nov 1647 re-united NMA and healed relations with plmt to some extent
