1.4 The First Civil War, 1642-46 Flashcards
Between 1642-1643 who had the advantage in the First Civil War?
The King, he controlled much of the country and benefitted from the support of the majority of the gentry and nobility. In addition he controlled the existing officers corps and was assisted by his nephews Prince Rupert of the Rhine and Maurice of Nassau, both has fighting experience from the Thrirty Years’ War. In October 1642 the King gained a marginal advantage at the Battle of Edgehill.
The victory of PLT: Pym + what did he manage to do before his death
- Pym established an excise tax in parliamentary areas to maintain parliament’s forces.
- With some difficulty Pym maintained parliamentary unity in the face of military defeats and a strong desire among many MPs for peace.
- Although he agreed to peace negotiations at Oxford, he had prevented the peace party, who wanted to negotiate a settlement with Charles from making any concessions that Charles would have required.
- Before his death in 1643, he managed to persuade the commons to sign a Solemn league and covenant with the Scottish forces, thus bringing experienced troops to aid the parliamentary force in the North.
- The Scottish army was instrumental in the victory at Marston Moor in 1644.
What were the consequences of the poor performance of parliamentary leader, the Earl of Essex?
It created a crisis in parliament and among its military leaders. After failed peace talks in Uxbridge in early 1645, a motion was presented in parliament for a self-denying ordinance, under which all the military leaders like Earl Essex and Lord Manchester would resign in order to create the New Model Army.
What was the Self-denying ordinance?
Where the current parliamentary military leaders (Like Earl Essex and Lord Manchester) would resign to create the New Model Army.
What was the New Model Army?
An army of 22,000 men created by Sir Thomas Fairfax, it was created by drawing all the existing parliamentary forces together. Had little interest in politics but Military talent. it was founded by Cromwell appointed as cavalry commander
Who commanded the New Model Army (1645)?
Fairfax and Monck
What were the consequences of the New Model Army?
They led Parliament to it’s first success at the Battle of Naseby in June 1645, they mopped up resistance in the south-west. Its success had been attributed to its discipline, training and leadership.
What two significant developments confirmed the growing strength of the P position?
1) Under the self denying Ordinance, all members of the P agreed to resign their military commands and were replaced by generals of proven military ability
2) P forced were reorganised into single army, New Model Army. It was placed under the command of professional soldier - Sir Thomas Fairfax , with Oliver Cromwell given command of thee cavarly.
1646
Royalist lost ground throughout the country. Charles left his stronghold at Oxford and surrendered to the scots.
