Pre civil war chronology

Question 1

June 1639

Answer 1

First Bishops’ War: English and Scottish armies confrontation each other at Kelso without coming to blows; Pacification of Berwick

Question 2

April-May 1640

Answer 2

Short Parliament: Charles fails to secure supply for another campaign against the Scots; he nevertheless prepares to attack Scotland

Question 3

May 1640

Answer 3

Convocation passes 17 Canons

Question 4

August 1640

Answer 4

Second Bishops’ War begins: Leslie leads Scottish army into England

Scots rout English forces at Newburn and gain control of northeast of England

Question 5

October 1640

Answer 5

Truce of Ripon: Scots to receive £850 a day and to remain in the northeast of England until a settlement is agreed

Question 6

November 1640

Answer 6

Long Parliament assembles

Strafford imprisoned and impeachment articles drawn up

Question 7

December 1640

Answer 7

London Root and Branch Petition calling for the abolition of episcopacy submitted to Parliament

Many Caroline advisors impeached - Laud, Finch

Question 8

February 1641

Answer 8

Triennial Act: Parliament to be summoned at least every 3 years

Question 9

May 1641

Answer 9

Commons draws up Protestation Oath against popery; first Army Plot revealed

Charles assents to Strafford’s attainder, and to Bill against the dissolution of Parliament without its own consent

Charles announced intention to travel to Scotland

Question 10

June 1641

Answer 10

Tonnage and Poundage abolished by parliamentary act

Commons agrees Ten Propositions as basis for negotiations with Charles; Lords agrees with minor amendments on the 26th

Question 11

August 1641

Answer 11

Ship Money declared illegal; boundaries of royal forests limited; knighthood fines declared illegal

Charles leaves for Scotland, subsequently agrees settlement with Scots, who withdraw their troops from England

Question 12

October 1641

Answer 12

Scottish ‘Incident’: Charles’ bungled attempt to arrest Argyll and Hamilton

Outbreak of Catholic rebellion in Ireland: massacres of Protestants; first reports reach London on 1st November

Question 13

22nd November 1641

Answer 13

Commons passes Grand Remonstrance 159 to 148, after lengthy debate

Question 14

December 1641

Answer 14

City of London elects new Common Council much more sympathetic to the Junto

Crowds outside Palace of Westminster prevent bishops from taking their seats in the Lords - when they get in on 30th they call for proceedings in absence to be cancelled

Question 15

4th January 1642

Answer 15

Charles attempts to arrest five members of the Commons and one member of the Lords

Question 16

10th January 1642

Answer 16

Charles and his family retreat to Hampton Court

Question 17

February 1642

Answer 17

Exclusion Act excludes bishops from the House of Lords

Question 18

March 1642

Answer 18

Houses of Parliament pass the Militia Ordinance

Question 19

June 1642

Answer 19

Houses of Parliament present the Nineteen Propositions to Charles

Question 20

22nd August 1642

Answer 20

Charles raises standard at Nottingham against Parliamentarian ‘rebels’: this marks the formal outbreak of the English Civil War