1646-1649: Failure Of Attempts To Reach Settlement Flashcards
Define political Presbyterians
More Conservative
Opposed to religious toleration
favoured a negotiated piece with the king
disenchanted with the new model army
closer to the Scots
supported a Presbyterian Church to prevent social revolution
Define political independents
Disliked the authority of Scottish Presbyterianism wanted religious toleration and allied with the new model army
What was one of the main terms for the political independents
Charles had to accept limitations before the new model Army was disbanded
By 1646 which was the most influential group
The political Presbyterians
Why were they the most influential, as a result of what?
Because of their peace policy, and because of the nations conservative nature following civil war
When did the political Presbyterians present the Newcastle propositions to Charles
July 1646
What were the main features of the Newcastle Propositions
Religion, the militia, Parliament and royalists
What were the religious terms of the Newcastle propositions
Charles had to accept the establishment of Presbyterianism in England for 3 years
Under the Newcastle propositions who was to control the militia and how long for
Parliament for 20 years because this was seen as the remainder of Charles life
Which term is regarded Parliament
The triennial act was to remain guaranteeing regular parliaments as a limit on the power of the king
What did the Newcastle propositions propose regarding royalists
Only 58 were not to be pardoned, encouraging others to accept defeat
What were the two main factions of parliament
Political Presbyterians and political independents otherwise known as peace party on the war party
Why did the Newcastle Propositions hamper the possibility of settlement
Charles had no intention of agreeing but didn’t say this directly
Religious differences in parliament
As well as agreement with the king, what did the political Presbyterians seek to implement in their counter- revolution?
Demobilise NMA and keep a smaller force to go to Ireland
Create an alternative “safe” army based on London trained bands
What was a result of the Political Presbyterians attempting to implement this programme
The New Model army became involved in politics
When was the NMA created and why
Created by Parliament in early 1645 by merging three regional armies with the aim of making the war effort more effective
What was the declaration of dislike
By Denzil Holles, a political Presbyterian leader, stated army petitioners were “enemies to the state and disturbers of the public peace”
Why was the political Presbyterians programme offensive to the new model Army
It appeared to them and the political independence that the political Presbyterians were attempting to construct a rival army through raising a force for Ireland
What else incensed the new model Army
Their wages with £3 million in arrears they face disbandment before this money was paid
there was the possibility of being charged with offences committed during the war as Parliament had not passed an indemnity act
What has the historian Gentles argued
That these material grievances were key in pushing the army into direct political action
Who were the levellers
A London based pressure group that sought political economic and social reform
Name a leading figure of the leveller movement
John Lilburne
Why did religious and political radicalism increase alarm for the development of the leveller movement
A result of economic distress caused by civil war, especially in London.
Outline the leveller movement
Believed in dissent, ideas of natural law and traditional English freedoms . Called for economic political and religious reform
Who were the diggers or true levellers
They believed in total social and political equality. Referred to themselves as the true levellers
What does Kishlansky argue about the diggers
It appears more ominous than it actually was because their influence was limited .
What did the levellers need to stand any chance of success
Support from the army
What did the levellers seek from the army
Use of the adjutators: men chosen to represent the regiments and meet with the senior officers
Why were the army’s negotiations with Charles over the Heads of Proposals controversial among the rank and file? How was this made worse?
Because they were concerned their officers might sell them short. Exploited by the Levellers who denounced leading army officers as “grandees”.
What were the Putney debates? When were they?
A response to the division that threatened the army. October 1647, to discuss with the Levellers their written constitution, a more radical proposal for settlement
Outline the Putney debates
General council of army met with adjutators and representatives of levellers to debate nature of settlement. Levellers succeeded in showing Ireton that he needed to keep them from taking more direct action if the army was going to deal with parliament and the king. Debated how England should be governed , but one side would only be successful if NMA supported them.
When did the NMA first petition parliament for redress of their grievances
March 1647
When did the NMA first petition Parliament for redress of their grievances
March 1647
What was parliaments reaction to the NMAs petition
They condemned it
What did Charles agree to in the third reply to the Newcastle propositions
Presbyterianism for three years and Parliamentary control of the militia for 10 years
Charles wanted further negotiations both antagonised the army as they felt that…
The terms are too lenient and Charles could not be trusted to honour them
What did the Commons vote on 25th of May 1647
To disband the new model army with only eight weeks arrears
What was Fairfax’s response to this
He ordered rendezvous at Newmarket
What resulted from the rendezvous at Newmarket
It saw organisation of a more formal political structure the general Council of the army to discuss strategy
What was the new model Army’s plan for settlement
The heads of proposals
How did Charles react to this
He did not take it seriously, further radicalising the army and making some contemplate removing the King
Why was the new model army such a significant force in the politics of settlement
Their physical control of Charles the first
When and what was the humble remonstrance
Fourth of June, it declared that the army would not respond until a grievances were met: indemnity and the removal of the Presbyterian factor. they decided to march towards London to put pressure on their enemies in parliament
What happened on 5 June 1647
The Solemn engagement which suggest cooperation between officers and agitators
What actions were taken to reinforce the solemn engagement
Impeachment charges were drawn against 11 MPs
Outline some of the main points of the heads of proposals published on 2 August 1647
Regular biennial parliaments, reform of Parliamentary representation, Parliamentary control of army and navy, religious settlement that maintained national church with bishops but no coercive power. and the act of oblivion that exempted only a few royalists from punishment
What do Ireton and Cromwells negotiations with the king show
A desire for moderate settlement
What problems did their desire for moderate settlement cause
It caused division in the army to a head
What and when was the engagement
December 1647 where he signed the engagement with the Scots agreeing to presbyterianism in for three years in England in return for Scottish invasion to restore him to power
What was the result of the engagement
In January 1648 Parliament passed the vote of no addresses saying that there would be no further negotiation with Charles
When was the Windsor prayer meeting
April 1648
Outline the Windsor Prayer meeting
The new model Army gathered to pray before facing their enemies. they declared that Charles the first was “that man of blood” . they articulated regicide in public for the first time
Briefly outline the second Civil War
That was the threat of Scottish invasion and anti-Parliament royalist risings. In August 1648 the invading Scots army was en by a force a third of its size. this convinced many in the new model army that they were gods instrument.
What did the political independents now seek
Wanted reconciliation with the King because they feared the increasing radicalisation of the army
What was Parliament response to the increasing radicalisation of the army
To repeal the vote of no addresses
What was the army remonstrance
It demanded that Parliament to put Charles on trial. If parliament refused to do this it’s called for a purge of Parliament and the kings trial.
What was prides purge
In December more voted to continue with the Newport . this made the army act on what they had threatened in the remonstrance. Troops led by Colonel Thomas pride purged Parliament of those regarded as most forward in negotiating with Charles.
Overall why was Charles executed?
What were the religious factors?
What were the political factors?
Religious factors:
Charles was seen as that man of blood
Charles was trying to start another war through the use of catholic troops in Ireland
Charles’ defeat into civil wars were seen as gods providence
Political factors:
Charles’s failure to compromise with the armies heads of proposals
fear of Charles agreeing to the Newport treaty with Parliament
Fear of Charles being able to start a third civil war
Of the 135 commissioners how many became regicides: what does this show?
59 became regicides showing that most people did not want to commit regicide
