handy revision guide for learning about Charles I and pre civil war, with detailed notes about the events in the period leading up to the civil war
applicable to the OCR A level unit: The Early Stuarts and the Origins of the Civil War 1603–1660 and any units on Charles I
Aims of Parliament 1640 Charles had to recall Parliament after the 2nd Bishops War
MP’s- united in belief that grievances that had arisen during PR had to be addressed and
knew Charles couldn’t ignore their demands any longer
Pym- encouraged MP’s to target the King’s evil advisers that were accused of high treason
Strafford- criticised due to his change of sides after 1628, and his harsh control over Ireland
Strafford Impeachment
11th Nov 1940- Parliament accused Strafford of trying to establish an ‘arbitrary government’
{without being approved}, committing treason by creating division between the King and his
subjects
difficult to find evidence of actual treachery
22nd March 1641- Strafford defended himself with good skill, arguing his actions didn’t
amount to treason and questioned how a royal servant supported by the King could be guilty
of treason
Pym- believed punishing Strafford was crucial
Act of Attainder 1641
law stating that Strafford was guilty of treason
would require Charles’ signature
Pym
revealed to MP’s that there had been an army plot
some soldiers {angered by Parliament’s treatment of Charles} planned to bring the army from
York to London, free Strafford and dissolve Parliament
Charles supported the plot and sent 100 soldiers to the Tower
London Mob- group who were on Parliament’s side and prepared to use violence, put
pressure on Lords
Strafford’s Execution
Privy Council- encouraged Charles to agree to the act and sign Strafford’s death warrant
Strafford- hoped his death would help to restore order to the kingdom
12th May 1641- he was executed
Charles never forgave himself
Long Parliament {Summer Root and Branch Petition 1640
1641} presented to Parliament
called for radical reform of the Church and abolition of bishops
Triennial Act 1641
pym’s proposal
new Parliament would have to be held every 3 years, whether the King called it or not
encroached one of Charles’ prerogative rights
Reversal of Personal Rule {Pym}
prerogative courts- Star Chamber and the Court of High Commission were abolished
ship money- declared illegal on 7th Aug 1641
distraint of knighthoods- declared illegal on 10th Aug
court of wards- abolished
Ten Propositions June 1641
pym’s proposals
parliament were to choose the King’s ministers
nothing came of it as the King returned to Scotland and Parliament went into recess for 6
weeks
Scotland- Charles persuaded Covenanters to remove their army from England, MP’s sent
commissioners to Scotland to ensure he didn’t convince any Scots to provide him with an
army
Divisions
Pym- convinced Charles couldn’t be trusted and he would return to his absolutist tendencies
some felt that Charles had been punished enough with the execution of Strafford and his
policies in PR
Long Parliament: The Irish Oct 1641- Irish Catholics rose in revolt in Ulster
Rebellion 1641 10k-12k Protestants died
1st Nov 1641- news broke in London with scenes of rape/torture
some Irish rebels suggested that they were acting under his instruction, allowing MP’s to see
this as international catholic conspiracy
Long Parliament: The Grand pym had been working on it before the rebellion
Remonstrance 1641 used propaganda to recount Charles’ wrong doings and promoted catholic conspiracy
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