CWI: Factors owing to Parliamentary victory Flashcards
What strengths did the royalists have?
Give 4
Clear objective: take London
Superior cavalry
Military aid from abroad - Rupert and Maurice
Led by lawful, recognised ruler, supported by wealthy higher gentry with military experience too - Marquis of Worcester gave £100,000 to Charles
How were the royalist armies disorganised?
Royal Council at Oxford was effectively an administrative body, but limited authority - forces in the north and east were their own entities
Disorganisation made it harder to capitalise on plmt defeats
How was the poor royalist leadership significant and why was this the case?
Generals competed and did not cooperate - split mid-battle to pursue baggage train, Marston Moor
Charles made influential locals and lieutenant generals in their area to conjure support - damaged war effort by lack of experience or commitment
Replaced with more experienced men e.g. his foreign nephews - divided royal council
What local organisations hampered the royalist war effort?
Clubmen - sought to defend their localities from both armies
Royalist suffered more because of their greater exploitation of communities - areas under their control were poorer
How did the divisions negatively affect Charles?
Incoherent policy meant he could not select the best advice due to competition and discord from his advisors
What was the significance of foreign aid?
Give 2 points
Sept 1643 cessation with confederates allowed him to bring troops over - intimidated some royalists
Correspondence with France and the Pope aided plmt propaganda
How was plmt financially superior to Charles?
Give 2 points
Controlled London, richest city in England
Controlled richer areas in south east compared to royalists so meant less exploitation of the localities
What were the strategic advantages of London?
Give 5 points
Centre of printing and so allowed more propaganda
Gave plmt access to more resources - city loans
Greater manpower - home to 1/10 of the English population - trained bands were vital at Turnham Green
Gave plmt a port - largest hub for commerce and trade, and chief supplier of arms, clothes, shoes and equipment
Already an established centre of administration and communication links in the capital
What institutional and financial measures did plmt implement to consolidate support?
Give 2 points
Special committees established in each county, removing any opposition - replaced traditional ruling elite
Developed ways of gaining new finance, new institutions like Committee of Both Houses, established control of revenue - assessment in Nov 1642 raised substantial income
How was Pym important to plmt in CWI?
Mediated and arbitrated between factions in plmt - persuaded member to accept Solemn League and Covenant, Scots believed Pres would be established in England in exchange for 21,000 men
What was the importance of plmt naval control?
Allowed them to supply their forces and strongholds continually e.g. Hull and Plymouth and prevented Charles from receiving foreign reinforcements
Why was military reform important to plmt?
Restructuring meant regularly paid, professional soldiers comprised the army - never defeated in battle and highly religiously motivated
Self-Denying Ordinance in 1645 Apr ensured it was led by capable, proven men - not simply members of the gentry e.g. Manchester
