Stuart Britain - 1646-9 Religious radicals and the English Revolution

Question 1

Roots of radicalism

Answer 1

Reformation emphasised inner belief - religious uniformity seen as essential to political unity - political implications?
1600: Symth and Robinson from Lincolnshire into exile in Holland 1608 to avoid persecution - Robinson Pilgrim Fathers new England 1621, Symth Holland English Baptists

Question 2

During the civil war: Growing freedoms

Answer 2

Collapse of censorship 1640s - bishops undermined
1641 7 particular baptists churches in London
Campaign for Toleration 1644-7 gains momentum in London

Question 3

During the civil war: More vocal groups create fear

Answer 3

1641-2 Conservative MPs support C1s authority as social disruption grows
ie Millenarianism - moderate MPs fear calls for new society transformed according to God’s word

Question 4

During the civil war: Radicals at the Assembly of Divines 1644

Answer 4

Radicals oppose Solemn League and Covenants 43-4 - imposes uniformity
Jan 44 5 members of Assembly of Divines publish Apologetical Narration - Protestant saints make own congregations?
Campaign for freedom of speech and toleration late 44 - Williams, Milton, Lilburne, Overton etc

Question 4

During the civil war: Parlimentarian Divisions

Answer 4

Political Presbys - MPs, City of London, Scots - uniform church
Independents - OC, Vane - want to pursue war fully, and supported by radical groups
Influence of NMA - allowed spread of ideas 44-6 London, E Anglia, Yorkshire
46 - Edwards ‘Gangraena’ against groups as poison - highly feared

Question 5

Different Ambitions for Peace

Answer 5

Desire for quick peace higher amongst moderates - tax 42-6 higher than C1, dislocation, physical damage and suffereing, cut off radical influence by ending tensions
Aggressive approach for radicals because of war effort/propoganda

Question 6

Levellers

Answer 6

Impact - broader demand for human rights and power but easily crushed before large change
Lilburne, Walwyn, Overton pamphlet campaigns 1645-6 defend free speech, Campaign for Toleration 1644-7
Support in London - due to economic distress/high taxes
46-9 Agreement of people demands male suffrage, toleration etc

Question 7

Newcastle Propositions

Answer 7

July 1646 - Newcastle Propositions presented to C1 - Triennial act maintained, parl to nomiate 13 ministers, parl control militia for 20 years, Presbyterian church for 3 years and 58 royalists excluded from general pardon
C1 delays

Question 8

Divisions in Anti-royalist alliance

Answer 8

Parl v Scots: over control of King, and comprimise of full Scot Presbyterian church in Eng (Oct 1646 Directory of Worship)
Parl v NMA: want more toleration, backlog of wages + pol power
Scots v NMA - toleration v uniform Presbyterian
Within Parl: Presby Want C1 back ASAP, agree Scots leave Jan 47 for £400,000 - strengthened, Independents in parl minority

Question 9

Parl v Army: Parl break with NMA

Answer 9

12400 NMA ordered to Ireland, 6400 England, rest dismissed
Compaints (backlog of pay) -New offer 25th May, 8 weeks arrears pay (infantry owed 18 and cavalry 43)

Question 10

Parl v Army: Army Rebellion

Answer 10

29th May - NMA refuse to disband
4th June - 500 soldiers led by Joyce seize C1 and General Council of Officers set up
14th GCO issue Declaration of Amry, demand impeachment of 11 leading Presbys, 6 Aug army occupies London and reinstates Independent MPs

Question 11

Election of Agitators

Answer 11

Rank and file v Generals
Soldiers fear grandees would soften terms for quick peace
Agitators elected to represent each regiment and present demands

Question 12

Grandees’ Deal with C1

Answer 12

July 1647 - Heads of Proposals from Grandees
Binennial instead of Triennial, parl to nomiate minsters for 10 years, parl control milita for 10 years, bishops remain but limited, toleration, pardon excludes 7
Sep 1647 - C1 accepts - ongoing attempt to cause divisions

Question 13

Leveller’s Impact - Putney Debates

Answer 13

Agreement of the People Oct 47 - Lilburne radical proposal
HofC soverign - universal suffrage, HofL gone, parl every 2 years
Putney Debates 28th Oct - 5th Nov - Ireton refuses male suffrage arguing only those with property should vote

Question 14

C1 Escape and New Deals

Answer 14

11th Nov C1 escapes
Proposals Parl 24th Dec Four Bills - parl milita 10 years, annul all C1s proclams against Parl, Parl meets wherever it wants
Scot 26th Dec Engagement - Prebyterian Eng 3 years, for military support
Signed 3th Jan 1648 and Vote of No Addresses from Parl - refusing further negotiations - anti-royalists back tog

Question 15

Rebellion and 2nd Civil War

Answer 15

Uprisings Mar-Jul Kent, Essex, SW Eng, S Wales due to economic problems - harvests and tax
2nd Civil War - NMA easy victory v Scots at Preston 17-19 Aug
C1’s Engagement divisive in Scot so poor preperation - leader Hamilton inept

Question 16

New Proposals for C1 Punishment

Answer 16

Parl repeal Vote of No Addresses 24 Aug - new talks Newport
Grandees Remonstrance 20 Nov - demand end to any negotiations and call for justice
Army marches toward Lond and parl on 5th votes 129-83 in favour of C1 negotiations

Question 17

Pride’s Purge

Answer 17

6th Dec Colonel Pride’s troops stand at entrance to Parl, decide which MPs in - 45 arrested, 186 excluded, 86 withdraw in protest

Question 18

Trial and execution of C1

Answer 18

Whitehall Debates 14th Dec-13th Jan: Grandees agree C1 had to go
Decision for trial and execution - remove focal point for opposition to new regime - remaining 70MPs High Court of Justice 6th Jan, 135 Commissioners appointed but only 68 attend 1st day - death warrant only signed by 59
Execution 30th Jan