Key events of the Civil War and the Execution of Charles I

Question 1

When did the First English Civil War begin and end?

Answer 1

August 1642 - May 1646

Question 2

Which two sides fought against each other in the English Civil War?

Answer 2

Royalists (Cavaliers) vs. Parliamentarians (Roundheads)

Question 3

Which areas were controlled by the Parliamentarians (at beginning of war) and how did this give them an advantage?

Answer 3

1. Parliamentarians controlled London and the South-East
2. First battles were in Parliament’s territory (home advantage) 3. These areas were much more wealthy than the rest of the country.

Question 4

What areas were controlled by the Royalists at beginning of war?

Answer 4

Royalists controlled the less economically developed areas of Northern and Western England.

Question 5

What were the main battles fought in the English Civil War and when did they occur?

Answer 5

Battle of Edgehill - 23rd October 1642
Battle of Adwalton Moor - 30th June 1643
Battle of Marston Moor - 2nd July 1644
Battle of Naseby - 14th June 1645

Question 6

When was the Battle of Edgehill?

Answer 6

23rd October 1642

Question 7

When was the Battle of Adwalton Moor?

Answer 7

30th June 1643

Question 8

When was the Battle of Marston Moor?

Answer 8

2nd July 1644

Question 9

When was the Battle of Battle of Naseby?

Answer 9

14th June 1645

Question 10

Who won the Battle of Edgehill 1642 October?

Answer 10

It ended in stalemate, meaning Charles failed to capture London. Inconclusive.

Question 11

Who won the Battle of Marston Moor 1644 July?

Answer 11

The Scots and Parliament defeated Prince Rupert at the Battle of Marston Moor, securing control of the North. P

Question 12

Who won the Battle of Naseby 1645 June?

Answer 12

The New Model Army (Parliamentarians) defeated Charles’ main army at the Battle of Naseby, capturing his artillery, treasure and letters. P

Question 13

Why was the Battle of Naseby a major turning point 1645 June?

Answer 13

1. Royalists never recovered from this defeat => C was always on retreat
2. From then on, the NMA won victory after victory against C’s forces

Question 14

What areas were controlled after the Battle of Marston Moor 1644 July?

Answer 14

It secured control of the North.

Question 15

How did the First English Civil War end 1646 May?

Answer 15

Charles surrendered to the Scots who handed him over to Parliament.

Question 16

Who were two key figures/leaders of the Royalists (Cavaliers)?

Answer 16

King Charles I and Prince Rupert of Rhine

Question 17

Who were two key figures/leaders of the Parliamentarians (Roundheads)?

Answer 17

Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell

Question 18

Who was Sir Thomas Fairfax and what did he do? P

Answer 18

1. Commander in chief of Parliament’s army
2. Created New Model Army and helped win at Marston Moor and Naseby

Question 19

What was Sir Thomas Fairfax like? P

Answer 19

1. Militarily experienced (fought Scots for Charles 1639)
2. A good, decisive leader
3. Not interested in politics

Question 20

Who was Oliver Cromwell and what did he do? P

Answer 20

1. Second in command of the NMA
2. Fought at Marston Moor
3. Ruled England after Charles’ death and became leader of Parliament

Question 21

What was Oliver Cromwell like? P

Answer 21

1. A devoted Puritan
2. Strict and dedicated to the cause

Question 22

What were Charles I weaknesses during the English Civil War? R

Answer 22

1. Failed to win Battle of Edgehill and gain control of London
2. Started Second Civil War after losing the First, deal with Scots
3. Later executed

Question 23

What was Charles I like and how did he contribute to the war? R

Answer 23

1. Weak yet proud
2. Grew as a leader and powerful/motivational speaker during war

Question 24

Who was Prince Rupert of Rhine and what did he do? R

Answer 24

1. Led Royalist Cavalry (horsemen) and was successful early on
2. Lost crucial Battle of Marston Moor
3. Was sacked by Charles when advising peace with Parliament

Question 25

What was Prince Rupert of Rhine like? R

Answer 25

1. Brave and headstrong
2. Adventurous in battle “ Mad Cavalier”, took his poodle into battle with him

Question 26

When did the Royalists secure control of the North and Bristol?

Answer 26

Summer 1643

Question 27

What was the Solemn League and Covenant 1643?

Answer 27

An alliance between Scotland and English Parliament during the First Civil War

Question 28

When was the New Model Army created and who was it led by?

Answer 28

February 1645 - led by Fairfax and Cromwell

Question 29

What was the purpose of the New Model Army?

Answer 29

1. To create a professional army that was more successful than the king’s army, to overthrow the monarchy
2. To win all battles with better odds at war

Question 30

What was the New Model Army?

Answer 30

a military unit used to transform the English Civil War

Question 31

What was the overall advantage of the New Model Army?

Answer 31

It was better organised, trained and equipped than the King’s army.

Question 32

What were the main advantages of the PEOPLE in the NMA?

Answer 32

1. People were promoted on ABILITY not class
2. Most soldiers were PURITAN and would pray and sing hymns together
3. Everyone was paid, given uniform and provided with EQUIPMENT
4. It was a NATIONAL army

Question 33

What were the main advantages of the TACTICS in the NMA?

Answer 33

1. Use of FAST CAVALRY to outmanoeuvre and surprise enemy
2. Attacking at SIDES AND REAR, weak areas
3. RE-GROUPED after enemy fled and attacked quickly, rather than chasing after them

Question 34

What were the main advantages of the TRAINING in the NMA?

Answer 34

1. Soldiers were properly PAID and WELL-EQUIPPED
2. DISCIPLINE was tough - harsh punishment for breaking rules

Question 35

see mindmap for HOW reasons for people, tactics and training were advantageous

Question 36

When was Charles I executed?

Answer 36

30th January 1649

Question 37

When and how did the First Civil War end?

Answer 37

It ended in May 1646. Charles surrendered to the Scots, having lost Oxford and the ECV, who handed him over to Parliament => after 9 months of negotiation for £100,000

Question 38

Which castle was Charles imprisoned in?

Answer 38

Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight

Question 39

What did Parliament try to negotiate with Charles when he was imprisoned, and what did C do?

Answer 39

1. Terms as king = More Puritan Church and rights for Parliament
2. C made a secret deal with the Scots, to make changes to the Church if they invaded England and restored him on the throne

Question 40

When was the Second English Civil war and how did it begin?

Answer 40

When was the Second English Civil war and how did it begin?
May 1648, Scots invaded England after secret deal with C

Question 41

How did the Second Civil War end and what happened after?

Answer 41

The NMA defeated the Scots and remaining Royalists

Question 42

What was the ‘Rump Parliament’?

Answer 42

1. The people who didn’t want to negotiate with the King. Very radical. what was left after Cromwell purged the members who did not support him.
2. It passed an act to charge C with treason and put him on trial

Question 43

What happened during and after Charles’ 3 days of trial?

Answer 43

1. Day 1-3 = C refused to plead and challenged the authority of the court to put him on trial
2. Day 3 = removed from court
3. Over next 2 days = Court hears from witnesses in C’s absence
4. 26th Jan 1649 = C is guilty of treason and sentenced to death

Question 44

Do you think Charles deserved to be executed? Why?

Answer 44

Yes, he went behind Parliament’s back when given another chance and started a Second Civil War.