OCR A Level History A Y108/01 The Early Stuarts and the
Origins of the Civil War 1603–1660 Combined Question
paper & Marking Scheme A+ June 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Friday 6 June 2025 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y108/01 The Early Stuarts and the Origins of the Civil War 1603–
1660
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12‑page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
, 2
Section A
The Execution of Charles I and the Interregnum 1646–1660
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Divisions amongst Charles I’s opponents were the main reason why negotiations failed during 1646
and 1647’.
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: Charles I, a prisoner of the Scottish army at Newcastle, writes to his wife about the Newcastle
Propositions submitted to him by Parliament.
1 July 1646. I have a true copy of the Newcastle Propositions and now assure you that I cannot accept them
without loss of my conscience, crown and honour. However, a flat denial is to be delayed as long as possible.
31 August 1646. It is now rumoured that Parliament means to do their work without taking any more
notice of me. If we can use this time to persuade France and my other friends to support my
restoration to power, then all is not lost. I wish to go back to London, to study the Propositions and to make my
own counter‑proposals.
Charles I to Henrietta Maria, letters 1646
Source B: A prominent London Presbyterian preacher issues a pamphlet exposing the political threat of
religious Independents in the Army.
On 12 June 1646, a godly minister of this city told me about his discussion with an army major concerning
Church government. The major told him plainly that those in the Army who are called Independents were not
so much against Presbyterian government (though many thought they were) as being tied to any government
at all. They supported liberty of conscience, leaving everyone free to believe what they pleased.
Thomas Edwards, ‘Gangraena, or a New Higher discovery of the Errors, Heresies, Blasphemies, and Insolent
Proceedings of the Sectaries of This Time.’ December 1646
Source C: The envoy sent by Henrietta Maria and her advisers to promote an agreement between the king
and army, later recalls the king’s private attitude to negotiations during July and August 1647.
I informed His Majesty that many agitators feared Cromwell was untrustworthy, while Cromwell saw
himself as falsely accused of sinister intentions and protested that his heart was sincere.
Cromwell considered the king had saved the Independents from ruin by not consenting to the Scots propositions
at Newcastle. The Presbyterian party and the City of London opposed the army to death. Hearing all this, the
king responded to the army’s proposals very bitterly, saying that he most regretted the Bill against Lord Strafford
and hoped God had forgiven him for signing it. The king was convinced that they could do nothing without his
consent.
Sir John Berkeley, Memoirs, written during the reign of Charles II
© OCR 2025 Y108/01 Jun25
, 3
Source D: At the Putney Debates, Cromwell criticises the Leveller proposals which were soon to be published
as ‘An Agreement of the People’.
Truly this paper contains very great alterations of the government of the kingdom. What the consequences of
such an alteration would be, wise and godly men ought to consider. How do we know if, while we are debating
this proposal, another group of men might submit another proposal as acceptable as this? And if so, what do
you think the consequence of that would be? Would it not be utter confusion? There will be very great
mountains in the way of this proposal, if it were the thing to be adopted.
Oliver Cromwell, Speech at Putney, 28 October 1647
© OCR 2025 Y108/01 Jun25 Turn over
Origins of the Civil War 1603–1660 Combined Question
paper & Marking Scheme A+ June 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Friday 6 June 2025 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y108/01 The Early Stuarts and the Origins of the Civil War 1603–
1660
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12‑page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
, 2
Section A
The Execution of Charles I and the Interregnum 1646–1660
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Divisions amongst Charles I’s opponents were the main reason why negotiations failed during 1646
and 1647’.
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: Charles I, a prisoner of the Scottish army at Newcastle, writes to his wife about the Newcastle
Propositions submitted to him by Parliament.
1 July 1646. I have a true copy of the Newcastle Propositions and now assure you that I cannot accept them
without loss of my conscience, crown and honour. However, a flat denial is to be delayed as long as possible.
31 August 1646. It is now rumoured that Parliament means to do their work without taking any more
notice of me. If we can use this time to persuade France and my other friends to support my
restoration to power, then all is not lost. I wish to go back to London, to study the Propositions and to make my
own counter‑proposals.
Charles I to Henrietta Maria, letters 1646
Source B: A prominent London Presbyterian preacher issues a pamphlet exposing the political threat of
religious Independents in the Army.
On 12 June 1646, a godly minister of this city told me about his discussion with an army major concerning
Church government. The major told him plainly that those in the Army who are called Independents were not
so much against Presbyterian government (though many thought they were) as being tied to any government
at all. They supported liberty of conscience, leaving everyone free to believe what they pleased.
Thomas Edwards, ‘Gangraena, or a New Higher discovery of the Errors, Heresies, Blasphemies, and Insolent
Proceedings of the Sectaries of This Time.’ December 1646
Source C: The envoy sent by Henrietta Maria and her advisers to promote an agreement between the king
and army, later recalls the king’s private attitude to negotiations during July and August 1647.
I informed His Majesty that many agitators feared Cromwell was untrustworthy, while Cromwell saw
himself as falsely accused of sinister intentions and protested that his heart was sincere.
Cromwell considered the king had saved the Independents from ruin by not consenting to the Scots propositions
at Newcastle. The Presbyterian party and the City of London opposed the army to death. Hearing all this, the
king responded to the army’s proposals very bitterly, saying that he most regretted the Bill against Lord Strafford
and hoped God had forgiven him for signing it. The king was convinced that they could do nothing without his
consent.
Sir John Berkeley, Memoirs, written during the reign of Charles II
© OCR 2025 Y108/01 Jun25
, 3
Source D: At the Putney Debates, Cromwell criticises the Leveller proposals which were soon to be published
as ‘An Agreement of the People’.
Truly this paper contains very great alterations of the government of the kingdom. What the consequences of
such an alteration would be, wise and godly men ought to consider. How do we know if, while we are debating
this proposal, another group of men might submit another proposal as acceptable as this? And if so, what do
you think the consequence of that would be? Would it not be utter confusion? There will be very great
mountains in the way of this proposal, if it were the thing to be adopted.
Oliver Cromwell, Speech at Putney, 28 October 1647
© OCR 2025 Y108/01 Jun25 Turn over
