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, even after the Scottish army invaded England.

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.

Civil war began in 1642. The country split into those who supported the king — the Cavaliers — and those who supported Parliament — the Roundheads.

The king’s army was defeated at the Battles of Marston Moor and Naseby. Charles was held prisoner and, still unwilling to reach agreement with Parliament, was executed in 1649.

England declared itself a republic called the Commonwealth, and no longer had a monarch. One of Parliament’s generals, Oliver Cromwell, was sent to Ireland, where a revolt still continued. Cromwell established the authority of the English Parliament there but did so with such violence that he remains a controversial figure in Ireland to this day.

The Scots declared Charles I’s son Charles II to be king. He was crowned king of Scotland and led a Scottish army into England. Cromwell defeated this army at the Battles of Dunbar and Worcester. Charles II escaped from Worcester, famously hiding in an oak tree on one occasion, and eventually fled to Europe.

Cromwell was recognised as leader of the republic and given the title of Lord Protector. He ruled until his death in 1658. His son Richard became Lord Protector in his place but was unable to control the army or the government. After 11 years as a republic, many people wanted stability and began to talk about the need for a king.

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