Prelude Civil War 1

Question 1

5 members’ coup

Answer 1

January 1642
Charles wanted to arrest the 5 members for treason
Marches into Parliament, doors barred to stop him, speaker refuses to tell him where the members were
Members: Pym, Hampden, Holles, Haselrig, Strode
Charles leaves the capital, leading to many ordinances being passed by Parliament

Question 2

Grand Remonstrance

Answer 2

November 1641
spark that starts Civil War according to historian
Produced by Pym
Arguably more of a manifesto than a remonstrance- it is printed and posted throughout London
Includes anti-Catholic language
Itemised all grievances against Charles and proposed radical remedies (religious and constitutional limits on King)
Strategically written to provoke Charles, not a direct accusation (treason) but clearly an attack
Passed by a small majority and without the knowledge of Lords
Rejected by Charles in December

Question 3

Charles at fault

Answer 3

Argued by Historian Hirst
Whig long-term view
- Continued to communicate with foreign Catholic powers through Henrietta
- involved in the Royalist Plot to kidnap Scottish Covenanter Nobles 1641
- Army plot to free Wentworth 1641
- 5 members coup
- Second Bishop’s war 1640- lacked funds and refused to cooperate with Parliament

Question 4

Parliament at fault

Answer 4

Argued by historian Fletcher
More of a short-term argument
- Pym’s radicalism with the Grand Remonstrance and 19 propositions- limited royal prerogative and radically changed the nature of the monarchy
- Root and Branch Bill, Ten Propositions 1641- getting rid of episcopacy was radical and mainly to maintain Scottish Support and more power for Parliament
- evidence that Pym was in correspondence with Scots- Treaty of Ripon arguably orchestrated to force Charles to recall Parliament
- Wentworth’s execution in 1641

Question 5

All three kingdoms at fault

Answer 5

Argued by historian Russell
argues that religious discord, multi-kingdoms, and financial pressure caused the crisis
stresses the actions of Charles for creating distrust
- Irish rebellion 1641- radicalised events in English Parliament and began divisions ; manipulated news of grave protestant deaths caused mass fury
- “The Incident” Charles implicated- plot to kill Covenant leaders including Argyll
- Scotland and religion, Charles’ inability to resolve religious differences; Prayer book 1637 (yet he removed it immediately after protests)

Question 6

Militia Bill and Ordinance

Answer 6

Proposed in December 1641, but rejected
Passed as an ordinance in 1642
Gave control of the army to Parliament

Question 7

Both sides raise armies

Answer 7

March 1642- Militia Ordinance gives Parliament control over military
April 1642- Charles refused entry into Hull store of weapons
Parliament sent writs to every Lord Lieutenant
Charles resorts to commission of array (allowed him to raise troops on royal prerogative)

Question 8

19 Propositions

Answer 8

1642 June
Radical demands- parliamentary control over military, religion, privy councillors to be approved by them, anti-Catholic sentiment persisted
Charles refuses In August, presenting himself as a defender of traditional constitutional government
Civil war begins

Question 9

Nottingham Castle

Answer 9

August 1642
Charles raises a standard at Nottingham Castle
soon blows down in a storm, bad omen