Second Civil War

• DATE

  FEB – AUG 1648
• WHY WAS THERE NO PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT? 

  1. The king did not wish to accept the outcomes of the war
  2. Parliament did not address some of their problems
  3. No effective religious settlement


  New Model Army had been radicalised
• Events leading to royalist defeat

  1. A series of royalist uprisings occurred in South Wales, Kent, East Anglia and Yorkshire throughout 1648

  2. Uprisings were uncoordinated and the New Model Army was able to efficiently deal with it

  3. Fairfax and Ireton tackled Kent, Cromwell Wales and Lambert held north to slow down the Scottish invasion

  4. In July 1648, a large troop of Scottish forces entered England to join 4000 northern royalists

  5. In August, Cromwell joined Lambert to face troops in Preston, despite being outnumbered they won
• Charles tried to bring the Catholics of Ireland to his side
• The royalists rose, starting war again


  May 1648
• Uprisings in 1648


  • Kent
  • Essex
  • Cumberland
• Parts of the Royal Navy's fleet mutinied
• The Vote of No Address, meaning there would be no more negotiating with the king

  January 1648
• The New Model Army had the Windsor Prayer Meeting, referring to Charles as a 'man of blood'


  April 1648
• The Second Civil War was more brutal than the first one
• The Second Civil War was a turning point because many people now regarded a settlement with Charles impossible
• Some in parliament wanted to reopen negotiations with the king, feeling only this could prevent a further breakdown of order
• Cromwell wins again

  1. Invasion of Northern England was badly coordinated

  2. New Model Army dealt with it quickly

  3. Fairfax secured England

  4. Cromwell marches against Welsh insurgents

  5. Prince of Wales stopped by parliament at the Netherlands

  6. Scotland defeated at the Battle of Preston in Aug 1648
• Charles showed he could not be trusted and did not want to make any settlements
• Some saw Charles' actions as a rejection of God's judgement
• Charles was seen as dangerous without care for other people
• Alliance with Scotland allowed the presbyterian party together with the independents and New Model Army to defeat the royalists
• Rebellions were not as widespread as the king hoped
• England

  • More divided than ever
  • Independent party close to collapsing
• Rebellions in the Puritan heart of Essex and Kent


  Settlements needed to be reached
• Presbyterians and independents

  Wanted to make settlements with the king
• Parliament made negotiations with the king

  AUG 1648
• Pride's Purge


  1. Colonel Pride stationed troops at the entrance of the House of Commons

  2. Did not allow anyone in parliament who did not sympathise with the army

  3. Parliament left with only 150 members called the Rump
• The Rump set up a high court of justice

  1ST JAN 1649
• The house of Lords refused to participate
• Charles was charged

  20th JAN 1649
• The king attended his trail in Westminster Hall but refused to recognise authority of the court
• The king was found guilty

  29th JAN 1649