Militia Ordinance and Committee of Safety enabled Parliament to raise an army – traditional way
There was no natural chain of command as in essence this was a rebel army
Put under the aristocratic command of Earls of Manchester and Essex to give it some legitimacy
1643 – Parliament in danger of losing war militarily and faced increasing problem of localism/ regionalism
Led to the creation of Eastern Association. A regional army under one commander with anindependent income. This became the engine of the Parliamentary army
Military setbacks and the failure to defeat King lead to a heated political debate
Resolved by the Self –Denying Ordinance and creation of New Model Army (NMA)
NMA was a national army under professional officers, under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax
It was charged with winning war – split political and military sides. Its victory at Naseby 1645 ensure Parliamentary success
Parliament reorganised its military to ensure victory in the field