Attempts to find settlement 1646-9 Flashcards
What were Newcastle Propositions May 1646?
Triennial act maintained, parliament to nominate 13 ministers as officers of state, parliament control of militia for 20 years, episcopacy to be abolished and Presbyterian Church established for three years, 58 royalists to be excluded from general pardon. Political Presbyterians behind this. Charles wanted to create time, hoping that divisions would occur allowing him to rule.
What divides were there between Parliament and Scots? What divisions were there between NMA and Parliament? How about the NMA and Scots?
by 1646 disagreed over ruling Church and King. Solemn League and Covenant of 1643 had stated that parliament would establish presbyterian Church in England but this would cause national anger. Church set with no bishops but still under state control. Presbyterians played too big a role in political and religious settlement despite the NMA defeating Charles. Also, a large army was no longer needed. The soldiers would have to be paid off and receive backlog of their wages. Scots wanted Presbyterian Church, NMA fought for free religion.
How did leadership shift in Parliament?
Presbyterians dominant in 1646, but Charles’ delayed response weakened position and by-elections (Recruiter elections) in 1646-7 welcomed Independents. In January 1647 the Scots left once paid £400,000 and reduced burden. Charles was sent to Holdenby House, Northamptonshire, under Parliament control, and by spring 1647 Presbyterian leaders felt strong enough to deal with English army problem.
What harm did Parliament inflict on army in Feb and March 1647?
Parliament wanted 12,400 men to Ireland and 6,400 to stay in England with no mention of arrears and protection from prosecution for actions under military service, suggested in Feb 1647. Officers then soldiers complained. Eight weeks arrears offered when infantry owed 18, and cavalrymen 43 weeks. Declaration of Dislike passed in March by Parl forbidding army settlement with King.
In 1647 when was Charles taken to Newmarket and what revolution followed?
25 May Commons approved disbanding NMA and 57 left. On 29 May army refused to disband and Cornet Joyce led 500 soldiers to Holdenby House, Charles taken to Newmarket under army headquarters. General Council of Officers set up. Army marched to London as Parliament looked for armed response there. 14 June - General Council of Army produced Declaration of the Army stating it wasn’t a ‘mere mercenary army’ and called purge of Long Parliament.
Why was the NMA disliked?
NMA disliked for religious zeal, army idle, assessments had to be obtained interrupting army pay leading to reliance on free quarter and stealing grain. In 1646 NMA collected assessments and landlords lost 1/3 of revenue, June 1646 Parliament passes act protecting army for actions in uniform with 1100 cases, army members called Parliament dogs
What was the 1647 Solemn Engagement?
29 May Solemn Engagement issued by Sir Thomas Fairfax at Newmarket to Commons saying army wouldn’t disband until terms were negotiated. Arrears owed to soldiers and settlement slow.
What were July 1647 London revolutions?
Eleven Members, 11 Presbyterian MPs wanting slow negotiations with Charles, fled when demanded to be impeached. After demonstrations loyal to them occurred on 26 July, they returned. 60 leading Independents refuged with the army and ten days later it occupied London and reinstated the MPs.
Why were grandees disliked? They passed the Heads of Proposals in July 1647, what did these entail?
Grandees, army officials, scorned on by rank and file, particularly Levellers and Agitators. Fears were that grandees would soften army’s position to conclude settlement with Charles. HEADS OF PROPOSALS: Triennial Parliament replaced with biennial parliaments; officers of state: parliament to nominate ministers for 10 years; militia: Parliament to control for ten years; church: bishops remain with limited power and religious toleration; seven royalists excluded from general pardon. Favoured by Charles over Newcastle Propositions.
Who were the Levellers? What did they want?
1649 John Lilburne wrote ‘England’s New Chains Discovered.’ Levellers supported Lilburne’s trials and in 1648 Colonel Thomas Rainsborough had high attendance to funeral. Moderate newspaper set. NMA wanted Agreement of People, Oct 1648, including end of King and Lords, new constitution elected by all men over 21, religious freedom, local government, and central army.
What discussion was there at Putney?
Debated by General Council of Officers at Putney, 28 October - 5 November 1647. Decided Parliament would dissolve 30/9/1648 and have elections every two years with no conscription, equality in law, indemnity of actions and so forth. Cromwell set committee to see how compatible agreement was. Henry Ireton, accomplished soldier and son-in-law of Cromwell, involved in Heads of Proposals, argued suffrage should only be for men who owned property. He spoke for grandees.
What were results of Putney?
At Putney it was decided army should have no more approacheds to King. Army rendezvous a few weeks later at Corkbush Field near Ware. Soldiers had Agreement of the People in hats to which they added the slogan ‘England’s freedom, soldiers’ rights.’
Cromwell had two ringleaders arrested and one shot. Army unity restored. In December 1647 grandees had Parliament pay off 20,000.
What did Charles do in response to army rendezvous at Ware?
Charles fled to Carisbrooke Castle, guest of the governor, in Isle of Wight, claiming he feared his life. Theorised Cromwell knew. Approached by envoys of Parliament and Scots, Four Bills were issued including Parliament control of militia for 20 years, annul King’s proclamations against Parliament, Parliament to adjourn anywhere in England, cancel peerages granted since start of Civil Wars, and included Newcastle Propositions.
What inspired the passing of the Vote of No Addresses in January 1648?
Engagement with the Scots signed 26 December granting Presbyterian Church for 3 years in favour of military support of the anti-Covenanting Scottish faction. A week later Parl passed Vote of No Addresses forbidding further negotiations.
