Political Divisions

• THE WAR WAS COMPLEX

  • Although parliament won there was serious divisions that had developed. There was increasing tension between the presbyterian Scots and the religious radicals of the New model such as Cromwell.
  • This was key in the failure to reach a settlement between 1646-49


  The king was the leader of the royalists
• ENGLAND WAS CHAOS

  • Existing social and political hierarchy broke down, there was no government or system
  • Many were left homeless from disruption caused by the war
  • Royalists' landlords had land taken away as punishment
  • Further conflict started to arise following the war


  190,000 deaths which made for 3.7% of the population
• CHARLES AND CAVALIERS

  • Cavaliers wanted a complete victory against parliament
  • 1643: Charles decline that parliament was illegal
  • 1644: He was persuaded to open the Oxford Parliament.
  • Charles promised there would be no return to personal rule


  Charles stubbornness was encouraged by the division between moderates and radicals. By 1646 the two parliamentary factions called Presbyterians and independents. 
• THE PEACE PARTY / PRESBYTARIANS

  • Leaders were Holles and Stapleton
  • Compromised of aristocrats who were worried about the social revolution
  • Believed the outcome of the war should be decided by negotiation with the king, they were more moderate.
  • Opposed to religious toleration.
  • They were the strongest party till 1645

  Negotiated with the Scots to try get an agreement with the king and supported by Presbyterian church
• THE WAR PARTY / INDEPENDENTS

  • Favoured confrontation with the king and victory over negotiating. Actively, they were radical but believed in religious tolerance for protestants
  • supported parliament's alliance with Scotland until it was apparent that the alliance was unlikely to create victory
  • Led by Cromwell and Ireton
  • Allied with new model army and wanted religious toleration.
  • Willing to settle with the king if Charles accepted limitation to his power.

  Became more influential in 1646.
• DIVISIONS DIVIDE FURTHER

  • By 1644 Parliament, Hampden and Pym had died. 


  After Marston Moor many officers were uncomfortable with the settlement with the Scots. The peace party saw it to stop war, but the war party regretted their promises to the Scots.
• The Earl of Manchester had concerns to maintain good relations with the Scots


  Cromwell thought the Scots had been underwhelming in war
• This created conflict and divisions started to widen
• Self Denying Ordinance


  APRIL 1645
• Self Denying Ordinance


  Proposed by Lord Sage and Sole to solve the political crisis
• Self Denying Ordinance


  1. Cromwell proposed that all members resigned their commissions in parliament

  2. This powered the way for the new meritocratic Model Army
• Pym had organised alliance called the Solemn League and Covenant in 1643
• Solemn League and Covenant

  The Scots agreed to send 22,000 men to defeat the king, in return England had to agree to a presbyterian settlement
• Parliament's MPs had to swear an oath to uphold the Covenant
• The Scottish Army crossed the English border


  JAN 1644
• The royalist were destroyed at Marston Moor


  JULY 1644