The Civil war and its significance for BA English Students
The Civil war and its Significance
Introduction:
The civil war was the cold war existing between the king and the parliament. It was the year in which Stuart King James I ascended the throne of England. This issue was " Who should be more powerful, the King or the Parliament ". The civil war resolved in favour of the parliament.
Feud between King James I and the Parliament:
There was a feud between King James I and the Parliament. The King was ready to solve the crisis through the policy of compromise. But his son Charles I came to the throne in 1625 and was not ready to compromise. He was stubborn. This attitude led to an open conflict between him and the parliament.
Ruthlessness of Charles I:
Charles I was annoyed by the power of the parliament. He dissolved his first parliament and levied taxes. He summoned for a second parliament. He threw all the leaders who opposed him and put them in the prison. This circumstance led the King to call for a third parliament. According to the Petition of Rights(1628) the King was not allowed to raise money without the consent of the Parliament. But the King acted against the raise. So people criticized the king for his strange behavior.
Favorites of Charles I:
Charles I favorites were Thomas Wentworth and Archbishop Loud. Religious affairs were managed by Loud and civil administration was under the control of Wentworth. The King followed the advise of Wentworth by raising Ship-money. Ship-money was collected only from the areas for defence purposes. But the King collected from the entire country. John Hampden, a gentleman from Buckinghamshire opposed the person who levied tax without the approval of the parliament.
Anglican Ritualson the Scottish Church:
Presbyterianism was a deep rooted religion of Scotland. Charles I decided to impose Anglican rituals on the Scottish church. But later Charles I made peace with Scotland. He summoned for a parliament and it lasted for a long time and people called it long parliament. The long parliament was dominated by puritans.
Nations supporting the king (Royalists and Cavaliers)
Nations supporting the parliament ( Roundheads)
Majority of the nobles and wealthy men, clergy, Anglicans, Roman Catholics supported the King. The supporters of the King were Merchant and Shopkeepers of the town. By 1642 both groups started to wage war. The encounter between the Parliament and King took place at Edge Hill.
Conclusion:
With the defeat and death of the King the Cavaliers last their power and prominence in the society. The civil war was settled with the Glorious revolution in 1688.
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