Civil War Flashcards
When did Charles I become king of England?
Charles came to the throne in 1625.
What was the relationship like between Charles I and Parliament?
Relations between Charles I and Parliament gradually got worse. There were clashes about foreign policy and many Puritan Protestants disliked Charles’ religious policy. Charles married a French Catholic against the wishes of Parliament. Charles revived old laws and taxes without the agreement of Parliament.
What happened when Parliament complained in 1629?
When Parliament complained in 1629, he dismissed them. Until 1640, Charles ruled without a Parliament – this period is often referred to as the ‘Eleven Years Tyranny’.
Why was Charles I forced to recall Parliament?
War with Scotland forced Charles to recall Parliament.
Did Parliament give Charles what he wanted?
Instead of granting Charles money, Parliament sent him the Grand Remonstrance (1641).
What was the ‘Grand Remonstrance’?
This was a list of 204 complaints about the way he was running the country. After Charles had tried and failed to arrest the five leaders of the Parliament, a civil war broke out.
Why did Parliament win the English Civil War?
Parliament had the support of the south-east of England, merchants, London and the navy. Charles’ forces were gradually worn down. After Oliver Cromwell set up the New Model Army, Parliament won decisive victories at Marston Moor (1644) and Naseby (1645).
Was that the end of the English Civil War?
No, Charles surrendered in 1646. He failed a second time to defeat Parliament during the the Second Civil War in 1648. Parliament put him on trial for treason and he was executed in 1649.
So, did the Civil War end royal power for good in England?
No, the Civil War achieved no permanent change in the balance of power between king and Parliament.
In 1660, Charles II was restored to the throne and continued, as his father had done, trying to rule without Parliament.
What were the main religious reasons that the relationship broke down between Charles I and Parliament?
At the time the Catholic faith was feared by the crown. Remember, Charles I’s father James I, had been the target of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Charles I married Henrietta Maria, a Roman Catholic from France. Parliament feared this was a sign that he sympathised with Catholics and that she would influence his religious policy.
Charles believed in the Divine Right of Kings. This is the idea that God had chosen him to be king and that Parliament had a less important role in government. Protestants believed that, like in their relationship in prayer with God, there was a closer dialogue between the ruler and the ruled.
What were the main foreign policy reasons that the relationship broke down between King and Parliament?
A attack on Spain in 1625 failed.
An attack on France in 1627 failed. In 1627, Charles sent a military force to France to support Hugenots (French Protestants). It failed and was also very expensive, losing Charles even more support at home.
What did Charles I do in terms of his own behaviour to ruin his relationship with Parliament?
Charles used a private ‘Court of the Star Chamber’ to try and punish his opponents.
When Parliament complained in 1629, he dismissed them. Until 1640, Charles ruled without a Parliament, a period known as the ‘Eleven Years Tyranny’.
Who were the ‘Cavaliers’?
The king’s supporters
‘Cavaliers’, the gentry of the northern and western areas, were Royalists and supported the king. At the start of the war Charles had better horsemen. Charles also used soldiers from Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Most of the Royalists were conservative Protestants or Catholic.
Who were the ‘Roundheads’?
Parliament’s supporters
‘Roundheads’, the merchants and traders of the south-east and London, supported Parliament. This gave Parliament much more money than the king. Parliament also controlled the navy. Many of the supporters were also Puritan.
What happened at Edgehill in 1642?
The battle of Edgehill was a confused draw. Charles advanced as far as Turnham Green, five miles from London, but when 24,000 Londoners turned out to fight him, he turned back.
