The English Civil War Timeline

Question 1

What happens in 1626?

Answer 1

Charles argues with the parliamant over religious and financial issues. He doesn’t work with the government for 11 years. This period is knows as ‘Personal Rule’.

Question 2

What happens in 1633?

Answer 2

Charles appoints William Laud as Archbishop of Canterbury. Laud offends many by introducing reforms that seem close to bringing back Catholicism.

Question 3

What happens in 1634?

Answer 3

Charles expands a tax known as ‘Ship money’ to raise money without counsulting parliament which makes many MPs furious.

Question 4

What happens in 1637?

Answer 4

The leading Puritans (William Pryne, Henry Burton and John Bastwick) are muliated for criticising Laud’s reforms.

Question 5

What happens in 1637-39?

Answer 5

Charles attempts to introduce a new English-style prayer book into Scotland which sparks off a rebellion and eventually a war that Charles lost.

Question 6

What happens in 1640?

Answer 6

Charles is forced to recall parliament to pay for the war with Scotland but parliament unleashes 11 years of complaints upon him. Charles doesn’t talk to them but is forced to do so when the situation with Scotland worsens. This period is called ‘Long Parliament’ .

Question 7

What happened in 1641?

Answer 7

Parliament passes The Triennial Act which reqires the king to call parliament more regularly.

Question 8

What happened in 1641-October?

Answer 8

Violence breaks out between protestants and catholics in Ireland. Charles trys to raise money for an army to resolve the issue but paliament issues the ‘Grant Remonstrance’ (a list of complaints about him). 🗿

Question 9

What happened in 1642-January?

Answer 9

Charles attempts five MPs in the House of Commons as he feels they are plotting against him.

Question 10

What happend in 1642-August?

Answer 10

Charles raises his royal flag, or ‘standard’ in Nottingham to summon an army to fight parliament which triggers a Civil War.