Part Four: English Civil Wars, “monarchy to constitution” - 1640 - 1649 Flashcards
(79 cards)
What was the Root And Branch Petition?
Root And Branch Petition, 1640
This was signed by 15,000 Londerners in 1640.
It demanded the end of bishops and Puritanism was the force behind it. Pym supported the petition but he did not aim to destroy the Church.
Pym sought the removal of Charles’ influence by letting locals control more of their church allowing the religious system to revert from a minitory Laudian church to a calvinist one
What was the Triennial Act?
Triennial Act, 1641
This abolished ship money without parliamentary consent. It also stated that Charles had to call a parliament every three years and it had to last a minimum 50 days.
Why did a Royalist Party form in Parliament?
After Bedfords death - Pym created other ways of solving the problems between the Crown and Parliament.
For instance, the bill of attainder - executing Wentworth. This was frowned upon by some MPs - they did not like that blood had been split. They also did not like the Grand Remonstrance which was also passed narrowly (159 to 148)
MPs could generally agree they did not want PR to happen again - but the way of going about this was contested.
The Royalist party formed in fear that the actions and beliefs of radicals like Pym posed more of a threat to political order than Charles did. In face of radical puritanism, in which parliament would take over royal prerogative and the mob hold power, many nobles and gentry panicked and looked to the concept of monarchy rather than Charles himself.
What were the 10 propositions?
The Ten Propositions (1641)
These were demands made by parliament rejected by Charles.
They were significant because they not only confirmed radicalism in parliament but it also proved what they wanted (like major limits on royal prerogative).
Why was Ireland significant in causing the Civil War?
After the rebellion, not only were Protestant fears stoked but Parliament and the Army battled over who should control the army that needed to be sent over to supress the Irish.
Both sides feared that whoever controlled this army would use them against the other side as well as the Irish.
What was the Grand Remonstrance?
Grand Remonstrance, 1641
The Grand Remonstrance was a list of over 200 criticisms of Charles’ government since 1625, which showed why he could not be trusted.
Although the document was careful not to accuse the King Directly, it was nevertheless seen as a direct attack on Charles.
Its passage created deep divisions within Parliament.
While many MPs supported reform, moderates and emerging Royalists saw the document as too radical and feared it would provoke war with the King.
The vote was narrowly passed (159 to 148), revealing Parliament’s split
What was the Militia Bill
The militia bill, 1641
It essentially proposed that Parliament would be in control of the army raised to crush the Irish rebels.
This was revolutionary as it directly questioned Charles’ prerogative and attempted to transfer prerogative powers to parliament.
Pym hoped to use the anger of the London crowds to put pressure on MPs to pass the militia bill.
Charles refused to give his royal assent to the bill
What happened to Bishops during the build up to civil war?
Bishops helped maintain Charles’ power in both the wider landscape and Parliament.
After the 1640 Branch and Petition, they rejected it and stayed in the HoL, however, riots broke out over the next 2 years (especially after the Irish Rebellion) and they were excluded from parliament in the 1642 exclusion bill.
After the Militia Bill was rejected, how did Parliament respond?
After Charles had fled after the 5 members coup, they declared the Militia Ordinance in 1642 which claimed their control over the army without Royal Assent.
How did Charles respond to the Militia Ordinance?
Commission of array - calling all clergy to raise him an army. He later raised the royal standard at Nottingham in 1642
What were the 19 propositions?
The Nineteen Propositions of June 1642 were a final attempt by the English Parliament to limit King Charles I’s power and prevent civil war. They demanded parliamentary control over the military, ministers, and royal children’s marriages, as well as sweeping religious reforms and the appointment of royal advisers approved by Parliament.
The propositions effectively sought to shift England toward a constitutional monarchy, severely restricting the King’s authority.
Charles rejected them outright, viewing them as an attack on his divine right to rule
What was the 5 members coup?
5 members coup, 1642
The Five Members Coup of 1642 was King Charles I’s failed attempt to arrest five leading MPs including John Pym and John Hampden.
The coup backfired badly—it outraged Parliament and the London public, who saw it as proof of Charles’s tyranny.
Pym could easily use the coup as further proof of the danger Charles posed and that the king could not be negotiated with. This also fuelled the London crowd leading to Charles fleeing London - the next time he was in London was 7 years later at his execution. After this, both sides raised armies.
What else happened when Charles fled from London?
A majority of the House Of Lords (probably out of sympathy) left London as well.
But also 2/5 of the House Of Commons fled London, probably because they did not want to be implicated in actions against the King.
What were the reasons for Royalist losses in the First Civil War?
Weaknesses of the Royalists
* Lack of Resources – The Royalists struggled with funding and supplies, whereas Parliament controlled richer areas like London.
- Poor Strategy and Leadership – Charles I was indecisive, and his advisors often gave conflicting advice.
- Failure to Secure Key Cities – London remained in Parliament’s hands, providing them with financial and logistical advantages.
- Divided Support – The Royalists relied on a mix of Catholics and Anglicans, which alienated some potential allies. For instance, Hyde, the head of Royalists in parliament had conflicting views with Charles’ Catholic wife. Charles also struggled to choose which was the best advice.
- Stronger Parliamentarian Army – The creation of the New Model Army (1645) under Oliver Cromwell provided Parliament with a disciplined, professional force.
- Naval Disadvantage – Parliament controlled the navy, cutting off Royalist supply lines.
- Scottish and Irish Factors – The Parliamentarians secured Scottish support in 1643, while the Royalists failed to fully mobilize Irish reinforcements.
What were the strengths of the Royalists?
Strengths of the Royalists
- Support from Nobility and Gentry – Many wealthy landowners supported King Charles I, providing financial and military backing. He was the Lawful ruler.
- Experienced Military Leaders – Royalists had skilled commanders like Prince Rupert of the Rhine.
- Cavalry Superiority – Royalist cavalry, led by Prince Rupert, was initially highly effective.
- Strongholds in the West and North – The Royalists controlled key areas, including Oxford, their capital.
Plus, he was ultimately the legitamate KING of the nation.
Prince Rupert was Frederick V / The winter King’s son - he burned brum
What was the first key battle Parliament won in the first civil war?
Battle of Marston Moor (1644)
Parliament’s army had a stronger position and was able to outmaneuver the Royalists.
Cromwell’s cavalry played a key role in crushing the Royalist flanks, especially on the right wing.
Prince Rupert, leading the Royalist cavalry, was defeated and forced to retreat, leaving the Royalists vulnerable.
What were the outcomes of Marston Moor?
The battle was a turning point in the Civil War, leading to Parliament’s control of the North of England.
It boosted Cromwell’s reputation and solidified his role as a key figure in Parliament’s military success.
The Royalist forces suffered heavy losses, losing a significant portion of their army.
HOWEVER, THEY FAILED TO CAPITALISE ON THIS VICTORY ALLOWING ROYALIST RESISTANCE TO CONTINUE, this lead to the formation of the NMA.
What was the most significant outcome of Marston Moor?
In the aftermath, the failure to effectively exploit the victory led to the formation of the New Model Army (NMA) in late 1645, a more professional and disciplined force that would become central to Parliament’s eventual success.
The NMA was more organised and soldiers were promoted on Merit and commitment to absoloute victory meaning higher ranked officers were deadlier, stronger and more commited than previously.
What was the Second Key victory for Parliament in the First Civil War?
Battle of Naseby (1645)
The new Parliamentarian New Model Army, led by Cromwell’s cavalry, decisively outflanked and overwhelmed the Royalists leading to a complete collapse of Charles’ battalion.
King Charles I was unable to provide leadership on the battlefield, and his forces were overwhelmed.
What was the outcome of Naseby?
The Royalists suffered heavy losses, including King Charles’s personal baggage, which contained valuable documents and the royal army’s artillery as well as crucial plans.
This loss essentially ended the First Civil War.
The Parliamentarian victory at Naseby boosted Cromwell’s and Fairfax’s reputations and solidified the New Model Army’s role in future campaigns.
What happened between Naseby and the end of the first Civil War?
The few territories still held by royalists were collapsed by the NMA.
How did the First Civil War end?
Charles surrendered to Scottish forces in hope they would give him a better settlement than parliament would.
They handed him back to parliament who placed him under house arrest. The remaining royalist forces surrendered by 1646.
They gave him back in return for £400,000 in wages from english parliament
Why did Parliament win the first Civil War?
- Control of London – Political, financial, and military hub with key resources and manpower.
- Superior Financial Resources – Parliament controlled wealthy regions and trade, including taxation and loans from the City of London. Merchants also supported them.
- Naval Supremacy – The Parliamentarians controlled the navy, blocking Royalist reinforcements and supplies.
- New Model Army (1645) – A disciplined, professional, and well-led force under Oliver Cromwell and Sir Thomas Fairfax. They formed after the victory of Marston Moor.
- Effective Leadership – Strong commanders like Cromwell and Fairfax outperformed Royalist generals.
- Scottish Alliance (1643 Solemn League and Covenant) – Scottish forces bolstered Parliament’s military strength.
- Religious and Political Unity – A shared cause against absolute monarchy and for Protestantism helped maintain morale.
- Royalist Weaknesses – Charles I’s indecisiveness, lack of resources, and internal divisions weakened his position.
- Key Battle Victories – Major wins at Marston Moor (1644) and Naseby (1645) crippled Royalist forces.
Regardless of his loss in the First Civil War, why was Charles still in a decent position?
As king he was still regarded as essential to a lasting settlement. Charles knew this and abused it to his advantage until 1648.
Despite working together to defeat Charles I on the basis of the Solemn league and Covenant there was increasing tension within.
