English Civil War

1642 - 1649: Charles: Supporters are “Royalists” or “Cavaliers”, experienced troops, and commanders such as Prince Rupert Parliament: Used militia as troops (farmers and townspeople), but they also had the navy and London Parliament made alliance with the Scots and modernized their army Parliament’s leader: Oliver Cromwell (Puritan) and called the modernized soldiers “Roundheads” – disciplined and well equipped

Printed by Roundhead Supporters, portraying the behaviour of the Royalists

Infighting in parliament: Puritans and Presbyterians fought over the role of the church (puritans wanted it separate), if Charles should be king (Puritans wanted England to be a Republic – no king at all) The “Rump Parliament” charges King Charles I with treason for making war with his own people and puts him on trial. Treason: Act of trying to overthrow the King – charge is absurd as this means Charles tried to overthrow himself – but trial proceeds

Charles is found Guilty and sentenced to death “That the court being satisfied that he, Charles Stuart, was guilty of the crimes of which he had been accused, did judge him a tyrant, traitor, murderer and public enemy to the good people of the nation, to be put to death by the severing of his head from his body” Charles, the king of England, was executed

The Rump Parliament then voted to abolish the Monarchy, and make England a Republic. They used their roundhead military to attack and silence anyone who objected – particularly in Scotland and Ireland. Oliver Cromwell remained in charge of the army, and fought many battles, devastating the Irish and Scots.

Oliver Cromwell