Why did civil war break out in 1642?

On the 22nd August 1642 King Charles I declared war against his enemies in Parliament. In the civil war which followed 1 in 10 men were killed. Many people died of starvation. Others had their house, their land or all their processions destroyed.How had the situation come about where Englishmen were prepared to fight against each other and even against members of their own family?

The Background: King & Parliament By the 17th century the King of England could no longer rule

the country by himself. He needed Parliament to help him. Parliament contained the most powerful people in the

country. If the king needed money for emergencies, such as wars, he

had to ask Parliament to vote him a tax which people all around the country would have to pay. When the king asked Parliament for a tax it had a chance to demand that he took some notice of its ideas. The power of Parliament had gradually been growing.

Stage 1: Charles I’s reign gets off to a bad start In 1625 Charles married a French Catholic. This was

unpopular with Parliament. Parliament also distrusted Charles’ main advisor

Buckingham. Money – When a new king or queen comes to the throne

Parliament usually votes to give the monarch the income form customs duties for life. When Charles became king they only granted it for 1 year. The idea was that this would force Charles to call parliament regularly. But Charles carried on collecting the duties without Parliament’s permission.

Stage 2: Charles rules without Parliament

In 1629 Charles I dissolved parliament. He ruled without Parliament for 11 years.

What do you think of his policies during this period?

MONEYWithout Parliament he hand to find new ways to

raise money.‘Ship Money’ – tax imposed usually to improve the

navy in times of war and paid by those who lived on the coast. In 1634 Charles asked to coastal counties to pay this tax, despite not being at war. In 1635 he asked everyone to pay.

RELIGIONIn 1630s with the help of Archbishop Laud Charles

started making changes to the C of E. They believed people would feel closer to God if churches were decorated and beautiful. These changes upset the Puritans – many thought he was trying to bring the Catholic church back.

Stage 3: The Scots rebel against the new prayer book Scotland was much more Puritan in its religion

than England. The Scots had never accepted the English prayer book, for them it was too close to Catholicism. But Charles was determined to spread laud’s ideas to Scotland, he did not ask the Scots about this.

Riots followed, so Charles decided to raise an army to fight the Scots. He made the English pay a tax called ‘Coat & Conduct Money’ to pay for the army’s uniforms, training & transport. Many people refused and were arrested.

Events move very quickly. Month by month Charles got deeper and deeper into trouble. 1639 -Strafford the king’s hated minister, has been recalled

from Ireland. He has a large army in Ireland, will he use it in England?

April 1964 – Charles calls Parliament, then sends it home after 3 weeks. Parliament refuses to give him any money, unless he stops religious reforms & gets rid of unpopular taxes.

July 1640 – Defeated in Scotland. Charles has to agree to pay the Scots £850 a day until and agreement is finally reached.

Nov 1640 – Charles is desperate for money and calls parliament again – but they will not help him until he drips the unpopular policies and his hated ministers.

Stage 4: Parliament demands reforms

Charles now appeared to be at the mercy of Parliament. Nearly all MPs were united against him.

Despite this no one dreamt that a civil war was close. In any case there was no to fight on Charles’ side. Everyone agreed he had to change his policies.

Parliament’s demands (Nov 1640) Charles’ evil ministers must be punished ( Strafford executed

& many like Laud place in prison). Ministers should be appointed who will advise Charles to

follow sensible policies ( Some of Charles’s critics from Parliament appointed).

King has to get rid of courts which allow him to lock up his opponents ( done)

Regular meetings of Parliament must be held ( done) No taxes without Parliaments approval ( done & Ship tax

ruled illegal)

Trigger 1 & 2 The Grand Remonstrance

New list of demands made by Parliament. Only narrowly passed. The Commons was becoming divided. Charles now had some support.

Irish Rebellion

Catholics had risen up against Protestant rulers – 200,000 Protestants had been killed. Many though Charles was behind the rebellion. It was the first part of his plan to make England Catholic!

Trigger 3 & 4 Charles tries to arrest 5 MPs

MPs did not trust him, they feared he would get rid of Parliament. The 5 MPs had been warned and had fled. They were protected by the council of England and treated like heroes.

Arguments about the army

Who should control the army, as they needed to put down the Irish. The King had left London and Parliament did not trust him. Despite Charles disagreeing, Parliament took control of the army.

The final trigger: The Commons goes too far On 1st June Parliament passed a set of demands called the

19 Propositions. This finally divided the king’s supporters from his opponents. MPs who supported the King felt this was the last straw. Charles did too. He claimed they would make a ‘mere phantom of a king’. Charles’ supporters left London.

In June Parliament ordered each county to organise an army. Charles issued the same order. People were now being forced to make a choice.

By August, each side had collected an army. Then on the 22nd August Charles raised his standard at Nottingham. The Civil war had begun.

TASKS Essay: Who was to blame for the war: Charles or Parliament?

OR Prepare a leaflet that will be displayed to soldiers on your

side. It must explain to the soldiers why they are fighting. Mention whose fault the war is. Explain why your side is fighting. Back up your views with evidence.

• If you are on the king’s side, point out how the Commons didn’t know when to stop, but kept pushing and they had to be stopped.

• If you are on Parliament’s side, point out at each stage it was the King who made things worse. He must be taught a lesson.