Parliament Leadership

• Parliament was divided between the War and Peace party
• There was a small radical wing who favoured republicanism – Marten 
• Peace party favoured negotiation to end war – Holles, also associated with Essex and Manchester
• War party favoured military victory over King in order to negotiate from a position of strength – Pym, Cromwell
• Parliament also divided over religious future for England
• Presbyterians (the majority) favoured national Presbyterian church – Independents wanted liberty of conscience.
• Parliament faced 2 political crisis – the Scottish alliance 1643 and military leadership 1645
• It was Pym’s skilful leadership that kept 2 sides together 1643 - setting up an Assembly of Divines to resolve the religious aspect of Solemn League & Covenant later and enabling Essex to keep his command to restore his prestige
• The deaths of Pym and Hampden in 1643 resulted in the political battle over military leadership which was eventually resolved by the Self- Denying ordinance and creation
• Pym’s leadership of Parliament kept the factions united so they could overcome their political crises