For a decade from 1642, England was wracked by civil

wars until it was ‘a world turned upside down’

In the end, Charles I had been beheaded and Oliver

Cromwell was Lord Protector

Timeline Of Events1603 – Accession Of James I

1625 – Accession Of Charles I

1642 – Civil War begins

20th Jan 1649 – Charles on trial

30th Jan 1649 – Charles executed

17th Mar 1649 – Abolition of the Monarchy

1653 – Cromwell takes the title “Lord Protector”

1658 – Cromwell dies

1660 – Restoration of the Monarchy

The Reign Of Charles I

Charles I was his own worst enemy: He was self righteous, arrogant, unscrupulous and had a fervent belief in the Divine Right of Kings.

Most of his problems revolved around religion and a lack of money:

His French marriage alienated Protestants and made Parliament fear a return to Catholicism.

He tried to impose Archbishop Laud’s new Anglican Prayer Book in Scotland.

The “Short Parliament” refused his demands for revenue to put down the Scottish riots.

He charged “Ship Money” to inland areas in peacetime.

He faced violent revolt in Ireland.

The “Long Parliament” issued the “Grand Remonstrance”.

He was ultimately charged with High Treason.

Causes Of The English Civil WarRELIGIOUS - Parliament was increasingly Puritan and saw Charles

as a Catholic sympathiser. Charles saw Puritanism as an attack on his authority.

Archbishop Laud introduced changes into the C. of E. which seemed very Catholic.

FINANCIAL – Disputes over Charles’ tax raising powers e.g. Ship Money.

POLITICAL – For eleven years, Charles ruled alone and raised money by reviving old taxes.

The Long Parliament was determined to limit Charles’ power.

1642 Irish Rebellion - Parliament refused to entrust Charles with an army. Charles saw this as treason

and raised an army of his own.

Civil WarThe Civil Wars resulted in approximately 250,000 deaths; these losses represent a greater proportion of the population than the British dead of World War One.

There were two sides: “Cavaliers” and “Roundheads”.

The Civil War divided families and set brother against brother; father against son.

Execution

ExecutionExtract from a report of the trial of Charles I, January 1649

ClerkCharles Stuart King of England, you are accused, on the behalf of the people of England, of divers high crimes and treasons, which charge hath been read unto you. The Court now requires you to give your final and positive answer by way of confession or denial of the charge.

KingSir, I say again, that so I might give satisfaction to the people of England of the clearness of my proceedings, not by way of answer, not in this way but to satisfy them that I have done nothing against the trust that hath been committed to me, I will do it; but to acknowledge a new Court against their privileges to alter all the fundamental laws of the Kingdom in their behalf, Sir, you must excuse me.

ExecutionExtract from a report of the trial of Charles I, January 1649

ClerkCharles Stuart King of England, you are accused, on the behalf of the people of England, of divers high crimes and treasons, which charge hath been read unto you. The Court now requires you to give your final and positive answer by way of confession or denial of the charge.

KingSir, I say again, that so I might give satisfaction to the people of England of the clearness of my proceedings, not by way of answer, not in this way but to satisfy them that I have done nothing against the trust that hath been committed to me, I will do it; but to acknowledge a new Court against their privileges to alter all the fundamental laws of the Kingdom in their behalf, Sir, you must excuse me.

Oliver CromwellLord Protector 1653 – 1658.

His story starts as an M.P. and country gentleman. During the Civil War his military skills left their mark on England in the form of the New Model Army.

He was one of the Regicides.

In the time after the execution, Cromwell became increasingly infuriated with the “Rump Parliament”. He marched into Parliament and dismissed its’ members. It was replaced with the “Barebones Parliament”, which elected him Lord Protector.

Cromwell is a difficult man to understand. His name is often accompanied with the epithet “hero or villain?” He has been called “a King in all but name”, a “Chief of Men” and his name has been execrated by Irish Catholics.

Today, nearly three hundred years after his death, his name still excites admiration and hatred in equal measure.

RestorationThe Monarchy was restored in 1660 after Cromwell’s son, Richard, failed as Lord Protector.

Charles II was King during the period of the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London.

Unlike his father, Charles was skilled at managing Parliament and has been remembered in many ways as a successful monarch.

Charles II was known as the “Merry Monarch”. However, he had little mercy for the Regicides. Those still alive who had signed Charles’ death warrant were hanged, drawn and quartered. Cromwell was exhumed from his grave and hung in a cage as a warning to those who would oppose Monarchy.