August 22, 1642: King Charles I raised his standard at Nottingham, signaling the beginning of the English Civil War.
Conflict Duration: The war lasted six years, ending with Charles I's execution on January 30, 1649.
Causes of the Civil War
1629-1640: Personal Rule
Charles I ruled without Parliament after dismissing MPs in 1629.
MPs had presented the Petition of Right, protesting against taxes imposed without parliamentary approval and imprisonment for non-payment.
Charles justified his actions by his belief in the Divine Right of Kings.
Religious Reforms
Implemented on advice from Archbishop of Canterbury, William Laud.
Changes included altar replacements, revival of decorated vestments, and kneeling for sacraments.
Perceived as a shift towards Catholicism, creating fear among Protestants.
Resistance began in Scotland with a new prayer book in 1637, leading to the Bishops Wars (1638-1640).
Financial Struggles
To avoid calling Parliament, Charles utilized unpopular methods to raise funds.
1634: Imposed ship money tax on coastal communities, extended to the entire country in 1635.
1636: William Prynne argued ship money was illegal without Parliament's consent.
1637: John Hampden challenged the tax; court decision favored the King but revealed growing resistance.
1640: Short of funds, Charles summoned Parliament in April to raise taxes for the Scottish war, but MPs were uncooperative, leading to its dissolution after three weeks.
The Long Parliament
November 1640: Charles summoned a second Parliament, known as the Long Parliament, which lasted until 1653.
Key Actions by the Long Parliament:
Outlawed ship money in August 1641.
Presented the Grand Remonstrance in November 1641, criticizing the Personal Rule.
Blamed 'evil counsellors' rather than Charles directly.
Charles rejected the Remonstrance, intensifying tensions.
Escalation to Civil War
1641: Irish Rebellion led to Protestant massacres, creating a financial and political crisis.
Parliament and Charles clashed over army command for Ireland.
January 1642: Charles left London after a failed attempt to arrest opposition leaders in Parliament.
Summer 1642: Parliament resolved to raise an army, marking the official start of the Civil War.