Chapter 2: The Civil War

Charles vs. Parliament Civil war - when people within a country are fighting each other 1642 – Charles began a conflict that would tear his country apart for 7 years Both sides had to create an ‘army’

Charles’ army (Royalists) Charles vs. Parliament Charles’ army (Royalists) Parliament’s army - Many of them came from noble families (money to pay for weapons) - Were local militia (citizens who are trained to act as soldiers in times of emergency) - Were used to fighting and riding on horses - Were farmers and townspeople - Were called ‘Royalists’ or ‘Cavaliers’ - Most of their army had almost no military experience - Included experienced commanders (good leaders) - Had control over the navy

Civil War – Charles vs. Parliament Charles was successful at first He won many small battles Parliament made an alliance with Scotland (who was building a more modern army) The leader of this “New Model Army” was Oliver Cromwell, a puritan who sided with parliament

Cromwell’s Army Cromwell’s soldiers were called “Roundheads” (because they cut their hair very short compared to the Cavaliers who wore long curls)

Cromwell’s Army The Roundheads were: Highly disciplined Usually very religious Well-equipped steel body-armor and lobster-tail helmets

Charles vs. Parliament (and Cromwell’s Army) The New Model Army defeated the Royalists at two important battles Charles was forced to flee to Scotland He was made a prisoner He was handed over to parliament

The Rump Parliament When the civil war had begun, many of the members of parliament who supported the king left parliament to fight with him Parliament was left in the hands of Presbyterians and Puritans They disagreed on many important matters

Presbyterians vs. Puritans - Wanted churches to be organized so that people worshipped the same everywhere - Wanted each church to run itself separately from the other churches - Didn’t care if Charles stayed as king, as long as he agreed to ‘limited’ powers Wanted to see the end of the monarchy (no more kings)

The Rump Parliament Charles tried to play the two sides against each other Was very dishonest with everybody When rebellions broke out in support of the king, the parliamentary army sent soldiers to drive out the 143 Presbyterian members of parliament

The Rump Parliament The parliament that was left (the Puritans) were called the “Rump Parliament” They charged the king with treason (being disloyal to your country) and with making war on his own people He was put on trial for his life

The Trial of the King Charles’ trial was strange, difficult and lengthy In the end, he was found guilty and was sentenced to death On the day of his execution, Charles dressed nicely and ate some food (he didn’t want to seem poor or afraid) He was led onto a scaffold and executed (his head was cut off)

Charles’ Execution

CROMWELL’S COMMONWEALTH Puritan rule. No dancing. No newspapers. No theatres. Army ruled. Became unpopular. Cromwell died in 1658.

LONG PARLIAMENT Parliament reconvened in 1660 Charles II was invited to be king with limited powers Very popular decision

CHARLES II Feudal dues abolished. King paid from taxes. Must respect the Magna Carta and Petition of Right. Charles II leaned towards the Catholic church. Parliament did not. Charles urged religious tolerance.

Test Act 1673 Parliament passed Test Act. Excluded all except Protestants from public office, the army, the navy and universities in England.

Whigs And Tories Whigs favoured parliament. Tories favoured the king. Whigs tried to pass the Exclusion Act which excluded Catholics from the English throne. Did not succeed. Introduced the “writ of habeas corpus”. Passed. (Produce the body - prisoners must be brought before a judge)

JAMES II James II became king in 1685 Placed Catholics in high offices in opposition to the Test Act. Parliament took no action because they believed that his Protestant daughter Mary would succeed the throne. 1688 James second wife gave birth to a son. (Mary was out. Catholics were in.)

WILLIAM AND MARY William, Mary’s husband invaded Britain in 1688. James II fled to France. Parliament agreed to accept William as a king. He and Mary became monarchs. The was called the Glorious Revolution William and Mary accepted the Bill of Rights. (Set down English liberties, ensured Parliaments rights.)

BILL OF RIGHTS No laws could be suspended without the consent of parliament. Taxes could not be raised without the consent of parliament. Parliament must be summoned frequently. The right of trial by jury Outlawed cruel and unusual punishments. Limited amount of bail.

PARLIAMENT Members not paid. Who could afford to run for parliament? Act of Toleration stated that all Protestants could have the freedom of worship. Act of Settlement: only Anglicans can inherit the throne. What about Catholics?

Ireland and Scotland 1689 James II rebelled in Ireland. Defeated. Act of Settlement enacted. Catholics could not buy or inherit land from Protestants. Catholics could not be elected to Parliament. Act of Union - Scotland united with England.

THE CABINET Initially King William chose his advisors or ministers from both political parties (Whigs and Tories). Members of the two parties did not get along. The king then chose the representatives from the majority party.

PRIME MINISTER George I (Royal House of Hanover) was the closest Protestant heir upon the death of Queen Anne. George I could speak only German. Sir Robert Walpole became his chief advisor. (Although he was not called a Prime Minister, he is generally accepted as the first.)