The Civil War

James I and his son Charles I both believed in the ‘Divine Right of Kings’ — the idea that the king was directly appointed by God to rule and should be able to act without seeking approval from Parliament.

When Charles I inherited the throne, he tried to rule in line with this principle. When he could not get Parliament to agree with his religious and foreign policies, he tried to rule without Parliament at all. For 11 years, he found ways to raise money without Parliament's approval.

Charles I wanted the Church of England to include more ceremony and introduced a revised Prayer Book. He tried to impose this Prayer Book on the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, which led to serious unrest. A Scottish army was formed, and Charles could not fund his own army without Parliament's help.

In 1640, Charles recalled Parliament to ask for funds. Many in Parliament were Puritans — Protestants who advocated strict and simple religious doctrine. They did not agree with the king's religious views and refused to give him the money he asked for.

A rebellion began in Ireland because Roman Catholics feared the growing power of the Puritans. Parliament took this opportunity to demand control of the English army. In response, Charles I entered the House of Commons and tried to arrest five parliamentary leaders, but they had been warned and were not there. No monarch has set foot in the Commons since.