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Civil War

The English Civil War was fought between King Charles I and Parliament from 1642 to 1651 over control of the government and their respective powers. Charles believed in the divine right of kings and frequently clashed with Parliament by dissolving them and raising funds through outdated taxes. This angered the population and led Parliament to enact reforms curbing the king's power. Unable to resolve their differences, both sides engaged in battles, with Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians emerging victorious. This resulted in the king being tried and executed for treason, replacing the monarchy with a republic led by Cromwell as Lord Protector.

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315 views3 pages

Civil War

The English Civil War was fought between King Charles I and Parliament from 1642 to 1651 over control of the government and their respective powers. Charles believed in the divine right of kings and frequently clashed with Parliament by dissolving them and raising funds through outdated taxes. This angered the population and led Parliament to enact reforms curbing the king's power. Unable to resolve their differences, both sides engaged in battles, with Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians emerging victorious. This resulted in the king being tried and executed for treason, replacing the monarchy with a republic led by Cromwell as Lord Protector.

Uploaded by

Rareș Andreescu
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Civil War

Fought between 1642–1651, the English Civil War saw King Charles I (1600–
1649) battle Parliament for control of the English government. The war
began as a result of a conflict over the power of the monarchy and the
rights of Parliament. During the early phases of the war, the
Parliamentarians expected to retain Charles as king, but with expanded
powers for Parliament. Though the Royalists won early victories, the
Parliamentarians ultimately triumphed.
Causes of the English Civil War
Ascending to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1625, Charles
I believed in the divine right of kings, which stated that his right to rule
came from God rather than any earthly authority. This led him to frequently
clash with Parliament as their approval was needed for raising funds.
Dissolving Parliament on several occasions, he was angered by its attacks on
his ministers and reluctance to provide him with money. In 1629, Charles
elected to stop calling Parliaments and began funding his rule through
outdated taxes such as ship money and various fines.

This approach angered the population and nobles, and the period from
1629–1640 became known as the "personal rule of Charles I" as well as "the
Eleven Years' Tyranny." Consistently short of funds, the king found that
policy was frequently determined by the state of the nation's finances.
1638, Charles encountered difficulty when he attempted to impose a new
Book of Prayer on the Church of Scotland. This action touched off the
Bishops' Wars (1639–1640) and led the Scots to document their grievances
in the National Covenant.

Assembling an ill-trained force of around 20,000 men, Charles marched


north in the spring of 1639. Reaching Berwick on the Scottish border, he
encamped and soon entered into negotiations with with the Scots. The
resulting Treaty of Berwick, signed on June 19, 1639, temporarily defused
the situation. Chronically short on funds, and concerned that Scotland was
intriguing with France, Charles was compelled to call a Parliament in 1640.
Known as the Short Parliament, he dissolved it in less than a month after its
leaders criticized his policies. Renewing hostilities with Scotland, Charles'
forces were defeated by the Scots, who captured Durham and
Northumberland.

With the situation in the north critical and still needing money, Charles
recalled Parliament that fall. Reconvening in November, Parliament
immediately began introducing reforms including a need for regular
parliaments and prohibiting the king from dissolving the body without the
members' consent. The situation worsened when Parliament had the Earl of
Strafford (1593–1641), a close advisor of the king, executed for treason. In
January 1642, an angry Charles marched on Parliament with 400 men to
arrest five members. Failing, he withdrew to Oxford.
The First War (1642-1646)
Through the summer of 1642, Charles and Parliament continued to
negotiate while all levels of society began to align in support of either side.
Unable to come to any resolution, the two sides clashed at the Battle of
Edgehill in October.A key figure in the triumph was Parliment Oliver
Cromwell and the his army won decisively the Battle of Naseby.
The Second Civil War (1648–1649)
With Charles defeated, the victorious parties sought to establish a new
government. In each case, they felt that the king's participation was critical.
Playing the various groups against one another, Charles signed an
agreement with the Scots, known as the Engagement, by which they would
invade England on his behalf in exchange for the establishment of
Presbyterianism in that realm. Initially supported by Royalist revolts, the
Scots were ultimately defeated at Preston by Cromwell and John Lambert
(1619–1684). Angered by Charles' betrayal, the army marched on
Parliament and purged those who still favored an association with the king.
The remaining members, known as the Rump Parliament, ordered Charles
tried for treason.
The Third Civil War (1649–1651)
Found guilty, Charles was beheaded on January 30, 1649. In the wake of the
king's execution, Cromwell sailed for Ireland to eliminate resistance as king's
son, Charles II, arrived in Scotland. Pursuing, Cromwell brought the Royalists
to battle on September 3 at Worcester. Defeated, Charles II escaped to
France where he remained in exile.
Results of the English Civil War
With the final defeat of Royalist forces in 1651, power passed to the
republican government of the Commonwealth of England. This remained in
place until 1653, when Cromwell assumed power as Lord Protector.
Effectively ruling as a dictator until his death in 1658, he was replaced by his
son Richard (1626–1712). Lacking the support of the army, Richard
Cromwell's rule was brief and the Commonwealth returned in 1659 with
the re-installation of the Rump Parliament.

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