English Civil War Flashcards
When was the English Civil War?
1642-1648
Who was the war between?
The Royalists - King Charles 1 and his followers
The Parliamentarians - men of parliament
What unpopular decisions had Charles 1st made?
He was responsible for expensive wars with France, Spain and Scotland.
He imposed illegal taxation ( without parliaments support)
He supported ‘High Church’ ceremonies and people worried he wanted to make England Catholic again.
Asked for Ship Money -a tax usually only collected during wars.
He tried to rule without parliament for 11 years.
What mistakes did he make?
Charles had money problems, wanted to limit parliament’s power, caused uncertainty about religion and was beaten in war by the Scots.
Charles believed he had a divine right to rule - what was that?
He believed that a king could do whatever he wanted, with no need to share power with parliament, as he was chosen by God.
He was an old-fashioned monarch living in changing times.
Who supported Charles? Cavaliers - wore red sashes
Support was strongest in the North, the West and in Wales. A greater majority of nobility and gentry supported the King.
Catholics and less radical protestants supported Charles.
Who supported parliament? Roundheads - wore yellow sashes
Support was strongest in south and south east.
Large towns and ports eg London
Merchants, townspeople and Puritans fought for Parliament.
What was the cavalry?
Richer gentlemen on each side rode into battle on horseback.
Fired pistols, wore steel breatplates.
Who were the pikemen?
Ordinary people on both sides.
Their job was to stand at the front of the whole army with a five metre long pole, a pike, tipped with steel.
How did the parliamentarians win.
Parliament had skilled generals like Fairfax and Cromwell.
It had the well-organised, trained and disciplined New Model Army.
It had control of the Navy and was able to block French supplies to Charles.
It was able to use taxes to finance itself.
Charles proved to be a poor leader and made bad tactical decisions.
What was new about the New Model Army?
Cromwell trained the troops.
England’s first truly professional army.
Strictly trained and strictly disciplined.
Cromwell chose men based on abilities rather than their wealth.
Made his troops live according to his religion.
Harshly punished anyone who broke his laws.
What happened to Charles?
5th May 1645 surrendered to Scotland but they sold him to parliament for £400,000.
Brought to trial.
Charles argued that the courts were the king’s courts and under his authority so how could the king be put on trial in his own court.
What was the verdict and sentence?
Bradshaw said it was the duty of the king to talk with parliament frequently.
Charles hadn’t done this and so had failed in his duties as a king. This started a war.
They concluded he was a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and a public enemy.
He was beheaded on 30 Jan 1649 in front of Whitehall in London.
