The Beginning Of The War

Question 1

Why did the war happen?

Answer 1

• Both sides thought that the other wanted war, although in actual fact, neither did. According to Braddick, it was a war of defence

Question 2

Why were people worried about the ANCIENT CONSTITUTION and the balance of political power?
Give 3 reasons

Answer 2

• FAILED ARREST OF 5 MPS - a dismissal of parliamentary privileges beyond his prerogative
• MILITIA BILL - both the King and parliament wanted control over the army
• ROOT AND BRANCH - about changing religion, and, along with act of Attainder, Triennial Act, 19 propositions, reflect both sides going against their prerogative

Question 3

What SOCIAL or CLASS reasons guided people to chose sides in the war?

Answer 3

• Strict social order
• Some felt obliged to obey land owners
  OR
  Another argument states that generally, the upper classes sided with the King, and lower classes with parliament - but, it’s over simplistic to suggest that it’s a class war

Question 4

What RELIGIOUS REASONS did people give for getting involved in the war?

Answer 4

FOR EXAMPLE - in Suffolk, there were 53 royalist families; 3 Puritan, 5 Catholic and rest Anglican

Question 5

What SOCIAL reasons did people give for choosing sides?

Answer 5

• In the north there was a high proportion of gentry - most were royalist
• In Buckinghamshire almost all royalists were parliamentarian
• Shropshire was the opposite

Question 6

How was an army raised?

Answer 6

Conscription
Bounties
Volunteers
Peer pressure