Disintergration Of The Political Nation Flashcards
Several groups can be blamed for failure to reach a settlement
Charles
Parliament
- independents
- Presbyterians
Army
- officers
- rank and file
Scots
Levellers and other radicals
Why would it be difficult to reach a settlement
Army
Charles
Divisions in parliament
Score
Name the 6 major attempts to negotiate with king 1642-47 and when
Nineteen propositions - June 1642 Oxford Proposals - Mar 1643 Uxbridge proposals - Jan 1645 Propositions of Newcastle - July 1646 Head of proposals - Aug 1647 Four Bills - Dec 1647
Final attempts at negotiation following the second civil war and when
Treat of Newport - Sept 1648
Main points of the nineteen propositions
Parliament every 3 years
King to accept militia ordinance
Parliament to approve of privy councillors
Parliament to approve sixteen officers of state
Parliament to approve teachers and governors of kings children
Church government to be reformed with Parliaments advice
Existing catholic laws to be put in place
Main points of the oxford proposals
New Parliament every 3 years
King to settle (militia) w kings advice
Bishops etc abolished from church
Bishops abolished
Existing laws of Catholics to be enforced
2 royalists now to be pardoned
2 dismissals from office for life
Main points of the Uxbridge proposals
New Parliament every 3 years
Militia to be settled my commissioners named by Parliament
Parliament to nominate 13 officers of state
Church gov- bishops etc abolished- Westminister Assembly to reform
Existing laws on Catholics to be enforced
58 royalists not to be pardoned
48 dismissals from office for life
Main points of propositions of Newcastle
New Parliament every 3 years
Parliament to control militia for 20 years
Parliament to nominate 13 officers of state
Church gov - bishops etc abolished, Presbyterian church for 3 year trial
Existing laws on Catholics to be enforced
58 Royalists not to be pardoned
48 dismissals from office for life
Main points of Head of the Proposals
New Parliament every 2 years
Parliament to control militia 10 years
Parliament to nominate officers of state for 10 years
Royal family to be restored without personal constraints
Church gov- bishops cannot coerce; no Presbyterian church
Existing laws on Catholics enforced
7 royalists not to be pardoned
Parliaments enemies dismissed from office for 5 years
Main points of 4 bills
New Parliament every 2 years
Parliament to control militia for 20 years
Church gov - Bishops etc abolished- Presbyterian church for 3 year trial
58 royalists not to be pardoned
48 dismissals from office for life
Issues dividing parliament 1646
Presbyterian v independents
Overview
During war peace party evolved into Presbyterian party, mainly as a result of Scottish alliance.
Leader =Holles
At end of war - Presbyterians were the dominant group in HOC
Independent party evolved out of War Party 1643
In reaction against Scottish alliance which ‘war party’ negotiated
Their name came from their support for ‘independent’ religious sects and from their opposition to Scottish interference.
Main power in independents was not in parliament but the new model army
Issues dividing parliament
Key members of presbyterians and independents 1646
Presbyterians:
Holley
Manchester
Essex
Independents Saye and sele Haselrig Ireton Cromwell
Issues dividing parliament 1646
Presbyterian v independents
King
Presbyterian:
King is indispensable. Now that his evil advisors have been defeated, Charles must be given benefit of doubt and returned to power on minimal terms
Independent:
King cannot he trusted. He must be forced to accept further limits on his sovereign powers. Parliament must not surrender it’s advantage in its haste to reach a settlement
Issues dividing parliament 1646
Presbyterian v independents
Scottish
Presbyterian:
Scots are our allies. The Solemn League and Covenant is the best guarantee of social and religious stability.
Independents
The Scots are interfering in England affairs.
They are opposed to religious freedom
Issues dividing parliament 1646
Presbyterian v independents
Taxes and the army
Presbyterian
Lower taxes. The nation needs to get back to normal ASAP. We must not limit the power of the country committees and return the country to traditional forms of government.
-disband he new model army. The national cant afford maintaining it. It is dangerous - radical religious sects such as levellers. Complaints from all over the country about soldiers lack of discipline
Independents:
Higher taxes will have to be endured for time being. We must not falter at the last hurdle.
Failure to not reach s settlement is not the army’s fault. The committees set up during the war are full of corruption and prolong nation’s agony. They need to be brought to heel.
New model army is professional and has discipline
They better claim to represent people that king parliament. Some Presbyterian MPs are misrepresenting the army in parliament. They should be excluded.
Issues dividing parliament 1646
Presbyterian v independents
Religion
Presbyterian:
A Presbyterian church for the whole country. This offers the best chance of restoring religious unity, stamping out the radical sects and restoring social order. It will built religious units in the three Kingston’s of England, Ireland and Scotland
Independents:
Religious toleration for Protestants. There is not only 1 right way of worship
Parliament has accepted the sacrifices of many soldiers who fought to free the nation from religious intolerance. The Presbyterians threaten to replace one king of tyranny with another
When was the propositions of Newcastle
July 1646
Why did the propositions of Newcastle come about
Their was resentment among English parliamentarians that the king was in the hands of the Scots- tension had increased after an intercepted letter revealed that secret negotiations had passed between the king and Scot earlier in the year
Fearing alliance w Parliament = under threat.
Committee of Estates in Edinburgh instructed Scottish commissioners in London to consent to Parliament’s proposals, even thought they fell short of the Covenanters’ ideal in the settlement of religion
How many clauses did the propositions of Newcastle have
19
Name some of the newcastle propositions
King was to sign covenant and an Act was to be passed imposing it on all his subjects
Episcopacy abolished (catholic’s and arminians hate) The church in England and Ireland was to be reformed along Presbyterian lines as directed by parliament and the Assmebly of divines (independent don’t like)
The armed forces and militia were to be controlled by parliament for a period of 20 years
Strict laws against Catholics etc
How many responses did Charles have to the Newcastle propositions
3
What and when was Charles 1st response to the Newcastle propositions
Aug 1646
Play for time
He declared in August that he could not respond to the proposals without first consulting a number of advisors and that he must be allowed to return to London to consider the terms
What and when was Charles 2nd response to the Newcastle propositions
Nov 1646
Some elements of negotiation
Offered to accept Presbyterian gov for 3 years
A commission of 60 divines would then recommend a future church structure to the king and parliament (20 independents, 20 presbyterians and 20 chosen by Charles)
He would agree to surrendering control of militia for 10 years or life time but only on condition that full control restored to his son
Refused to sign covenant
What and when was Charles 3rd response to the Newcastle propositions
May 1647
Charles repeated his offer over Presbyterianism and the militia
He also confirmed his desire to enforce laws against Catholics and was much vague over whether he must sign the covenant
This answer was read out in Parliament 18 May and accepted by the presbyterians and Scottish commissioners as the basis for future negotiations
The lords voted that Charles should be brought to oatlands palace - close t London
However before this could happen - Charles was seized by Joyce and taken from Holembly house to the army at Newmarket
How far was Charles the cause of the failure of the Newcastle propositions
Refused to sign covenant
Never agreed wholly despite losing war
BUT
He’s king- they need him and he needs to protect church etc
How far was parliament the cause of the failure of the Newcastle propositions
Yes
Tried to take away several of Charles prerogative rights through control of militia
-too presbyterian for independents
No
Respresented people and won war
How far was Army the cause of the failure of the Newcastle propositions
Room the king and physically prevented him from coming to London and making a deal
Why did parliament attempt to disband the new model army in 1647
Presbyterians dislikes religious radicalism - feared it would hinder fast settlement with the king
The country was becoming increasingly resistive, tired of quartering troops and paying heavy taxes
Among the soldiers, grievances were becoming more widespread, predominantly about pay
How did parliament attempt to disband the new model army
Replying some units of NMA to Ireland to crush the rebels - shift quartering costs out of England
Parliament began to move against army
In Feb 1647, some NM units were designated for Irish service while a decision was taken to disband the rest
March 1647- parliament ordered a purge of the officers rank to exclude MPs and non Presbyterians
How did the army respond to parliament trying to disband the army
Humble petition of the officers and soldiers of the army
20 March 1647
- soldiers pay to be brought up to date before disbandment
- provision to be made for widows, orphans and war maimed
- indemnity to be granted for acts committed in war time that would be considered criminal on peace time
- volunteer troops to be allowed to refuse deployment outside England
How did Holles respond to the Humble Petition of the Officers and Soldiers of the army
He replied 3 March 1647- which was called the Declaration of Dislike
This is because it labelled the petitioners ‘enemies of the state’ ‘disturbors of peace’
It caused a fault like between political Presbyterian majorities in parliament and the new model army
Parliament did not endorse the petition and voted to appoint only Presbyterian generals to lead the army to Ireland and carry out purge of independents from London Trained Bands
What were agitators? Why did the cavalry elect them?
To negotiate with the officers and make sure the voice of ordinary soldiers were heard
Represented a grassroots democratic movement forming a significant proportion of pop
What was the vindication of the officers of the army
Published end of April by a majority of army officers showing their support for the agitators as representatives of the rank and file
Publication of an endorsement of the humble petition
1647
How did parliament respond to the vindication
Opponents of it argued it was a series of diff demands by diff regiments and so couldn’t be dealt with as a whole
Instead they require each regiment to send their own complaint in writing to be considered individually
1647–> ordered Cromwell, ireton and 2 soldier MPs to settle outstanding pay and pass indeminity act
Why did the army get mad at parliament’s response to the vindication
What did this mean
Tensions continued to rise. Agitators demanded impeachment of 11 Presbyterian MPS—> believed = mastering of dislike
In turn Presbyterian and city or London began to consider raising an army against NMA 25/ May
Parliament voted to disband army with just 8 week arrresrs
Army was mad and became a political force.
Officers and rank file stuck together and within 4 days, Fairfax declared rendezvous of NMA to be held at Newmarket in 4 June
Notwithstanding Fairfax’s nice to defend the army’s cause, 2 regiments mutinied 31 May 1647
When did the army seize king and why
After Parliament vindication response blah blah
The agitator sexby relayed rumours - king on verge of making deal with political Presbyterianism and this news drove NMA in drastic action
2 June 1647 Joyce led troop of soldiers to remove king from holemby house and take him to headquarters in NMA
Dk who masterminded it - Cromwell?
What was the Humble remonstrance
Printed 4 June 1647
Signed by officers and soldiers
Listed army’s grievances and criticised parl for its failure to resand the declaration of dislike
What was the solemn engagement
Ireton and Cromwell —> military covenant - which was presented to the army on the next day -> st of the Army
5 June it was read out to all regiments and assented to by all officers and soldiers
How did tensions increase following solemn engagement
Fairfax’ men began to march slowly towards the capital. Dissorder in london by now was breaking out on a daily basis - pressure on parl to do smth
4 June- mobs of soldiers in London besieged Westminister demanding pay and address of grievances
8 June- motion to take pay seriously rejected by 1 vote in commons
Wanted to disband army, retake king and rage city cavalry regiment—> passed
Although Declaration of Dislike was rescinded and an Indemnity ordinance passed, relations between king and army was bad
What did the representation of the army demand
Why would this cause future conflict
- a purge of parliament intended to remove army opp in commons
Future parl of fix duration
Guaranteed right of freedom of people to petition parliament
Liberty of tender conscience, allowing freedom of worship
What were the heads of proposals
Offered by army 1647
Propositions drawn up by officers of the NMA and submitted to King Charles I,independently of parliament as a basis for constitutional settlement after kings defeat in first civil war
Drafted by Ireton and Lambert w consultation from saye and sele and other parliamentary representatives in 1647 summer - when the Amy was engaged in a political power struggle with Presbyterian MPs over the settlement of the nation
Proposals called head - broad and can be negotiated afhet
Main points of the heads of proposals
Episcopacy retained in church but power of bishops reduced m
All acts enforcing church attendance, the use of the book of common prayer and the forbidding of holding religious meetings elsewhere - repealed
Covenant revoked
Sitting Parliament would set date for its own termination. Therefore biennial parliament were to be called (ie every 2 years) which would sit for a minimum of 120 days and maximum of 240 days
Parliament constituencies were to be reorganised
Council of state would be established to conduct foreign policy. It would need parliament’s approval to make war or seek peace
Parliament was to control the appointment of state officials and officers in the army and navy for 10 years
No royalists were to hold office, or stand for election for at least 5 years
Response to the heads of proposals
More lenient then Newcastle - king said it was too restrictive and rejected them outright
During the negotiations, Ireton and Cromwell lost support of army radicals who were disappointed that the proposals made no concessions to leveller demands for a wider franchise, who criticised Grandees ‘servility’ in their dealings with the king
Meanwhile Charles continues his attempts to play off the army and parliament against one another
He also began secretly negotiating with a faction among the Scots which was to lead to the second Civil was in 1648
When did the heads of proposals re-emerge after its rejection
At Putney debates army council discussed a new constitution for Eng
Ireton promoted head of proposals as a moderate alternative to leveller inspired Agreement of people
6 years later, elements of Ireton’s proposals were incorporated into the instrument of government - the written constitution that defined Cromwell’s power as lord protector
The religious settlement proposed by Ireton in 1647 was virtually identical to that finally adopted in the 1689 toleration act and
What were the 11 members and name a few
Eleven Presbyterian members of the HOC were named by army leaders as ring leaders incplotd to destabilise the kingdom
Eg holles, Waller, Stapleton and Massie
Waller Stapleton and Mallie all had distinguished military records in the service of parliament during the first civil war
What was the difference in what rank and file soldiers and army leaders& independent MPS were alarmed at
While rank and file soldiers of the new model army protested at the refusal of MPs to settle arrests of pay and other grievances,
army leaders and independent MPs were alarmed at Presbyterian intrigues with the king at their plots to bring a Scottish or foreign army into England, and at their attempts to gain control of the militia and to recruit new levies in London
What did the army council demand 1647/8
What were the 11 members accused of
Suspension of the 11 members from HOC.
They were accused of attempting to overthrow people’s rights and liberties; of delaying and obstructing justice; of misrepresenting the army and its intentions to Parliament; and of attempting to raise forces to plunge the kingdom into another war
What was parliaments response to thee army council demanding the suspension of 11 members
Parliament refuses to suspend the 11 members w out proof of their misconduct, but under increasing pressure from army - 11 were forced to withdraw
They appointed 5 lawyers headed by Prynne - to prepare legal defence, then took advantage of an order granting them permission to go abroad and postpone final presentation of their defence for 6 months
What were presbyterians response to the 11 members being suspended from parliament
Presbyterians gained control of London militia committee.
On July 1647 a mob of pro Presbyterian rioters burst into parliament to demand the militia ordinance be repealed and the king be returned to London
Following day leading independent MPs and speakers of lords and commons fled from Westminister to seek refuge w army. The 11 members were recalled to parliament, new speakers were appointed and Edward massive was given command of military forces in London
Presbyterians made plans to defy army but resistance went when Fairfax led NMA into London 6 Aug and restored the independents. Agitators called for purge of parliament; Cromwell and other radicals lost patience and prepared to use force against Presbyterians
Realising their cause was hopeless - Holles, Stapleton Waller etc fled abroad. Those who remained eg Maynard was later expelled from parl and inprjsoned
What happened to the attempt to impeach the 11 members
Abandoned June 1648 when MPs were anxious to retain support of Presbyterian dominated Common Council of London.
At this time - the 10 surviving members (Stapleton died 47) were allowed to return to their seats in Parliament
