WHII: SOL 6c

English Civil War

Absolute Monarchs in England• Tudor monarchs believed in divine right, they

recognized the value of good relations with Parliament

• Elizabeth I died childless in 1603; her heir was James Stuart king of Scotland– Stuart was not as adept at dealing with Parliament– Led to a century of Revolution

James I and Charles I• James I had agreed to rule according to English laws

and customs, soon argued about divine right• “I will not be content that my power be disputed

upon”• Both ruled as absolute monarchs• Ruled for many years without Parliament• Often dismissed Parliament• Imposed taxes on the people in violation to the

Magna Carta• Denied habeas corpus to the nobility

Charles I• Forced by Parliament to sign the Petition of

Right, which prohibited the king from raising taxes without Parliament’s consent or from jailing anyone without legal justification

• Long Parliament 1640-1653– Tried and executed the king’s chief ministers– Declared that Parliament could not be dissolved

without its own consent– Raised an army to challenge Charles I

English Civil War• 1642-1651• Supporters of Charles I called Cavaliers– Wealthy nobles (known for long hair)– Well trained in dueling and warfare

• Supporters of Parliament called Roundheads– Country gentry– Town-dwelling manufacturers– Puritan clergy– Tough fighters with courage of their convictions

English Civil War• Oliver Cromwell became a leader of genius for

the Roundheads• Organized a new army for Parliament, made up

of officers selected for skill not social class• By 1647 the king was in the hands of

parliamentary forces• Parliament set up a court to put Charles I on trial

English Civil War

• Charles I was executed in January 1649• **Shocked Europe**• 1st time a ruling monarch had been executed

by his own people-no ruler could claim absolute power and ignore the rule of law