The failure to reach a negotiated settlement, 1646-49

Question 1

The parliament’s military forces, the Scots and the New Model Army were…which is reflected in…

Answer 1

divided, which is reflected in parliament.

Question 2

Who did the Political Presbyterians have close ties with?

Answer 2

Scotland’s military leaders.

Question 3

Who were the Political Independents linked to?

Answer 3

MPs who were also New Model Army officers.

Question 4

Charles I was convinced that his opponents’ alliance would…

Answer 4

break down and thus strengthen his own bargaining position.

Question 5

What year was the Newcastle Propositions, and what was included in it?

Answer 5

1646

• The office of bishop in the Anglican Church was to be abolished
• Strict anti-Catholic laws were to be enforced
• Parliament was to take control of the armed forces for 20 years

Question 6

What happened to the negotiations on the Newcastle Propositions?

Answer 6

They had broken down by the end of 1646.

Question 7

When did the Scots hand over Charles I to parliament?

Answer 7

January 1647.

Question 8

What did the Political Presbyterians considered when disbanding the New Model Army in 1647? What did this lead to?

Answer 8

Not paying arrears of pay. This suggestion caused the army to become politicised and it developed into a third factor in negotiations for a settlement.

Question 9

In June 1647, the army gained custody of…

Answer 9

Charles I, and presented their own proposals to him.

Question 10

What was the Head of Proposals? And when was it?

Answer 10

1647 - a far more moderate document than the Newcastle Propositions, which suggests that the army wanted to establish a lasting and stable settlement.

Question 11

What was the Heads of Proposals’ main concern? And how?

Answer 11

To strengthen the power of parliament:

• Parliament should meet every two years
• Constituencies reorganised to reflect population size and local wealth
• Anglican bishops were to remain

Question 12

What was Charles I secretly doing whilst considering the proposals of the Heads of Proposals?

Answer 12

He was in secret discussion with the Scots - he signed an agreement with them in December 1647, promising to impose Presbyterianism in England for three years in exchange for a Scottish army.

Question 13

What did Fairfax do in the Second Civil War? And when was the Second Civil War?

Answer 13

1648

- He put down royalist risings in the south of England

Question 14

What happened in the battle of Preston in the Second Civil War? When was this battle?

Answer 14

August 1648 - Cromwell destroyed the Scottish army

Question 15

In the aftermath of the Second Civil War, the army leadership…

Answer 15

published a Remonstrance, declaring that the king was guilty of high treason for starting the Second Civil War, and should be put on trial.

Question 16

What happened when Parliament voted to continue negotiations with the king, after the Second Civil War? - what was this event known as?

Answer 16

• Troops arrested 45 MPs and excluded a further 186 from the Commons.
• This event was known as the Pride’s Purge

Question 17

When was Charles I tried, and by who (plural)?

Answer 17

January 1649 - 135 Commissioners.

Question 18

What did Charles refuse to accept when on trial?

Answer 18

That any court had the power to place a divinely appointed monarch on trial, and would not answer the charges made against him.

Question 19

What did the court conclude about Charles I?

Answer 19

They found him guilty of all charges, and sentenced him to death.

Question 20

When was Charles I executed?

Answer 20

30 January 1649.