Chapter 11: The Second Civil War

• Why did Charles refuse to consider Parliament's settlements seriously?

  He wanted to play on the divisions between the English Parliament, the Scots, and the New Model Army. 
• 1646: two Parliamentary factions developed - the Political Presbyterians and the Political Independents
• Political Presbyterians

  • Key Figures: Denzil Holles and Phillip Stapleton
  • More moderate - 'Peace Party'
  • Opposed to religious toleration
  • Favoured a negotiated peace with the king and were willing to accept settlement on minimal terms (incl. disbanding New Model Army).
  • Increasingly disenchanted with the New Model Army
  • Drew closer to the Scots
  • Supported the Presbyterian Church to prevent social revolution
• Political Independents

  • Key Figures: Oliver Cromwell and Henry Ireton
  • More radical - 'War Party'
  • Disliked the authoritarianism of Scottish Presbyterianism
  • Wanted a considerable measure of religious toleration
  • Allied with New Model Army, as the army was seen as security against Charles
  • Willing to settle with king and disband NMA only if Charles accepted limitations to his power.
• 1646: Political Presbyterians were the most influential group in Parliament because most of the country would have preferred their peace policy. 
• What was the Newcastle Propositions (July 1646)?

  The Presbyterian plan for settlement
• What were the main features of the Newcastle Propositions?

  • religion: Charles was to accept the establishment of Presbyterianism in England for three years.
  • militia: Parliament was to control militia (the armed forces) for 20 years - likely the remainder of Charles’ life.
  • Parliament: The Triennial Act was to remain, guaranteeing regular parliaments as a limit on the power of the monarch.
  • Royalists: Only 58 Royalists were not pardoned —> hopefully encouraging others to accept defeat.
• What was Charles' response to the Newcastle Propositions?

  Stalled because he wanted to take advantage of the divisions growing in Parliament; settlement was hampered by religious differences.
• What did the Political Presbyterians add to their revised Newcastle Propositions?

  • demobilising the New Model Army but keeping a smaller force to go to Ireland to crush the Irish Catholics
  • creating an alternative ‘safe’ army based on the London Trained Bands
• What was the 'Declaration of Dislike'?

  Holles criticised the New Model Army - called them the ‘enemies to the state and disturbers of the peace’
• What caused the politicisation of the New Model Army?

  The Newcastle Propositions and Holles’ ‘Declaration of Dislike’
• Main motivations of the NMA

  • Their wages were £3 million in arrears. They faced disbandment before this money was paid.
  • There was the possibility of being charged with offensives committed during the war, as Parliament had no passed an indemnity act (protection against actions taking during the civil war).
• March 1647: NMA petitioned Parliament for redress of their grievances. Parliament condemned the petition.
• • May 1647: the Commons accepted Charles’ 3rd reply to the Newcastle Propositions; NMA antagonised (think it’s too lenient); Commons vote to disband NMA with only 8 weeks’ arrears of pay.
• June 1647: NMA held a general meeting at Newmarket —> formed the General Council of the Army, a more formal political structure
• 2nd June 1647: Charles was seized by the army —> their control of him was what really made them a significant force in the politics of settlement. 
• 4th June 1647: Army produces the ‘Humble Remonstrance’ - declaring they will not disband until their grievances were met (incl. indemnity act and removal of Presbyterian faction)
• 5th June 1647: The document ‘Solemn Engagement’, detailing the army’s position, was presented to Parliament. 
• 14th June 1647: ‘A Representation of the Army’ (mainly written by Ireton and John Lambert, aided by Cromwell. Declared the army was ‘not a mere mercenary army’.
• What the 'A Representation of the Army' outline?

  • a purge of Parliament
  • future Parliaments of a fixed duration
  • guaranteed right of freedom of the people to petition Parliament
  • an extension of religious freedom
• What was the Heads of the Proposals?

  The army’s own settlement plan, drafted by Ireton and Lambert (published 2nd August 1647)
• What were the main points of the Heads of the Proposals?

  • regular biennial parliaments
  • reform of parliamentary representation
  • parliamentary control of the army and navy
  • parliamentary appointment of great offices of state for ten years
  • religious settlement that maintained the national Church with bishops, but no coercive power
  • Act of Oblivion (pardon) that exempted only a few Royalists from punishment
• What caused division in the army during the search for settlement?

  Ireton and Cromwell showing their desire for a moderate settlement in compromising with Charles
• When did Charles escape Hampton Court?

  November 1647
• What were the Four Bills?

  Sent to Charles by Parliament whilst he was still imprisoned; it was an amalgamation of Parliament’s Newcastle Propositions and the army’s Heads. 
• What was the Engagement (Dec 1647)?

  • Charles met with a faction of the Covenanters who were disappointed with their alliance with the English Parliament
  • Charles agreed that England would have a three-year period of Presbyterianism in return for the Scots’ help in invading England against Parliament
• When did Parliament pass the Vote of No Addresses?

  January 1648
• Windsor Prayer Meeting (April 1648)


  New Model Army gathered at Windsor to pray before facing their enemies; declared Charles I was the ‘man of blood’
• • July 1648: a large troop of Scottish forces entered England to join 4000 northern Royalists.
  • October 1648: Cromwell and Lambert went to Edinburgh to ensure that the anti-Engagers in Scotland led by Argyll were securely in power.