the English civill war

• Charles I


  • King of England, Scotland, and Ireland during the early 17th century
  • Believed in the divine right of kings
• Charles I's reign


  Marked by conflict and controversy, especially with Parliament
• Divine right of kings

  Belief that God gave the king power to rule
• Charles I closed Parliament in 1629 because he didn't want to listen to them and wanted to rule alone, without them
• Sides in the English Civil War

  • Royalists (Cavaliers) - supporters of the king, believed in a strong monarchy
  • Parliamentarians (Roundheads) - supporters of Parliament, wanted more power for the people and a small monarchy
• Ship tax


  1. Charles I needed money to fund his government

  2. Introduced a tax called ship tax

  3. John Hampden, a member of Parliament, refused to pay this tax and argued it was illegal because only Parliament had the power to tax

  4. This led to a legal case, which John Hampden lost, but it made people question the king's authority
• Charles I's relationship with Parliament

  Grew worse, and in 1642, the English Civil War broke out between the Royalists and Parliamentarians
• Oliver Cromwell


  • Skilled military leader, lead person for the Parliamentarians
• Commonwealth


  Republic established by Cromwell that abolished the monarchy and House of Lords
• Cromwell's rule was often seen as strict and oppressive, as he banned Christmas, theatre, and fun sports
• The conflict between Charles I and Parliament, along with the English Civil War, had a significant impact on English history and led to the questioning of the divine right of kings and the establishment of a limited monarchy
• Brilliana Harley


  • Wife of Sir Robert Harley, known for her involvement in the war
  • Defended Brampton Bryan Castle during a Royalist siege, showing bravery and leadership skills
• Battle of Naseby


  Significant turning point in the English Civil War, where Parliamentarians led by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell faced Royalists led by King Charles I
• The Parliamentarian forces won the Battle of Naseby, securing an advantage in the war and weakening the Royalists
• Other key events in the English Civil War

  • Siege of Bristol (1643) - Parliamentarians captured the Royalist-held city
  • Battle of Marston Moor (1644) - Parliamentarians secured a significant victory against the Royalists
  • Formation of the New Model Army (1645) - Oliver Cromwell led a new, much better army
• Restoration


  Period when the monarchy was restored following the English Civil War and the rule of Oliver Cromwell, with Charles II invited to return to England and reclaim the throne
• Glorious Revolution


  Event in 1688 when William of Orange, a Dutch prince, was invited to invade England and take the throne, leading to the overthrow of James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy
• Causes of the English Civil War

  • Charles I's belief in the divine right of kings
  • Conflict with Parliament over issues like religion and taxation
  • Charles I's decision to close Parliament in 1629 and rule alone
  • Charles I's attempts to raise money through taxes like ship money, which angered people like John Hampden
  • Tensions between Charles I and Parliament leading to the Grand Remonstrance and the Nineteen Propositions
• The New Model Army, led by Oliver Cromwell, played a crucial role in securing victory for the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War through its discipline, tactics, and effectiveness in battle
• After the English Civil War, the New Model Army remained a powerful and influential force in English politics, playing a key role in the establishment of the Commonwealth and the Protectorate under Cromwell's rule
• Reasons why Cromwell was liked and disliked

  • Liked: Military prowess, religious tolerance, opposition to absolute monarchy
  • Disliked: Authoritarian rule, harsh suppression of dissent, persecution of Catholics and Royalists