‘The most important reason for Parliament’s victory in the First Civil War was
Scottish support.’ Assess the validity of this view. [25 marks]
45 minutes
Introduction: The view that Scottish support was the most important reason for
Parliament’s victory in the First Civil War holds validity to a limited extent. The
intervention of the Covenanters under the Solemn League and Covenant in 1643
undeniably became a pivotal point in the First Civil War that strengthened Parliament’s
military position and weakened the Royalists. However, this factor was not decisive in
isolation. Parliament’s ultimate success in 1646 was more fundamentally driven by the
long term factor of superior Parliamentary and militia leadership by figures such as
Pym who overpowered the weak and inexperienced choices of Charles I. Which
ultimately built up to the successful creation of the New Model Army in 1645 as the
most decisive short-term factor demonstrated by the Parliamentarian triumph at
Naseby where Royalist forces were decisively outnumbered 14,000 to 7,500 troops.
Therefore, while Scottish support played an important contributory role, Parliament’s
internal unity and military innovation were ultimately more significant in securing
victory.
5min
PARA 1: Scottish support for Parliament
Point: Scottish support was a major pivotal point and strengthening point for
Parliament.
Balance: However, it was a short term stimulant that waned after 1645 when the NMA
was introduced.
Evidence: Solemn League and Covenanters 1643 & Success at Battle of Marston Moor
1644. (28,000 Parl compared to 18,000 Royalists with 300 deaths for Parl and 4000
deaths for Parl)
Explain: Provided Parliament an army acting against Royalists.(LIMITATION: There were
concerns that Scotland were only acting in their interests of protecting constitutional
and geographical gains from the Bishops War 1640.) Marston Moor was a decisive point
of turn that was not possible without Scottish
Relative: Without financial stability, Parliament couldn’t pay £30,000 a month for
Scottish support. Solemn League was not successful without being underpinned by
abundance of resources and strengths that led Parliament to victory.
10min
PARA 2: The long term military leadership successes by Parliament compared to the
Royalist mistakes underpinned Parliamentary victory.
Point: Charles’ leadership and lack of military experience hindered Royalist success
and gave Parliament the opportunity to capitalise on victory.
Evidence: Foreign Aid - Charles’ optimism regarding foreign Aid from French and HM
was over zealous and a failure with little cooperation from the Catholic Pope. This
meant Charles turned to the Irish (again) Irish Cessation 1643 was a tactical blunder
that attempted to close the second front of war but instead rumoured a fear of
Popery and accelerated the Solemn League into Battle of Marston Moor.
Relative/Link: This shows tactical blunders and inexperience from the Royalists opened
an avenue for victory for Parliament and the Solemn League.
10min
Point/Explain: This tactical blunder by Royalists and Parliamentarian capitalization of
victory reflected the strong organisation and leadership of the Parliamentary Army
Evidence: The reign of ‘King Pym’ laid down foundations for Parliamentary loans and
taxes that provided financial advantage for Parliament to then spend on the Solemn
Scottish support.’ Assess the validity of this view. [25 marks]
45 minutes
Introduction: The view that Scottish support was the most important reason for
Parliament’s victory in the First Civil War holds validity to a limited extent. The
intervention of the Covenanters under the Solemn League and Covenant in 1643
undeniably became a pivotal point in the First Civil War that strengthened Parliament’s
military position and weakened the Royalists. However, this factor was not decisive in
isolation. Parliament’s ultimate success in 1646 was more fundamentally driven by the
long term factor of superior Parliamentary and militia leadership by figures such as
Pym who overpowered the weak and inexperienced choices of Charles I. Which
ultimately built up to the successful creation of the New Model Army in 1645 as the
most decisive short-term factor demonstrated by the Parliamentarian triumph at
Naseby where Royalist forces were decisively outnumbered 14,000 to 7,500 troops.
Therefore, while Scottish support played an important contributory role, Parliament’s
internal unity and military innovation were ultimately more significant in securing
victory.
5min
PARA 1: Scottish support for Parliament
Point: Scottish support was a major pivotal point and strengthening point for
Parliament.
Balance: However, it was a short term stimulant that waned after 1645 when the NMA
was introduced.
Evidence: Solemn League and Covenanters 1643 & Success at Battle of Marston Moor
1644. (28,000 Parl compared to 18,000 Royalists with 300 deaths for Parl and 4000
deaths for Parl)
Explain: Provided Parliament an army acting against Royalists.(LIMITATION: There were
concerns that Scotland were only acting in their interests of protecting constitutional
and geographical gains from the Bishops War 1640.) Marston Moor was a decisive point
of turn that was not possible without Scottish
Relative: Without financial stability, Parliament couldn’t pay £30,000 a month for
Scottish support. Solemn League was not successful without being underpinned by
abundance of resources and strengths that led Parliament to victory.
10min
PARA 2: The long term military leadership successes by Parliament compared to the
Royalist mistakes underpinned Parliamentary victory.
Point: Charles’ leadership and lack of military experience hindered Royalist success
and gave Parliament the opportunity to capitalise on victory.
Evidence: Foreign Aid - Charles’ optimism regarding foreign Aid from French and HM
was over zealous and a failure with little cooperation from the Catholic Pope. This
meant Charles turned to the Irish (again) Irish Cessation 1643 was a tactical blunder
that attempted to close the second front of war but instead rumoured a fear of
Popery and accelerated the Solemn League into Battle of Marston Moor.
Relative/Link: This shows tactical blunders and inexperience from the Royalists opened
an avenue for victory for Parliament and the Solemn League.
10min
Point/Explain: This tactical blunder by Royalists and Parliamentarian capitalization of
victory reflected the strong organisation and leadership of the Parliamentary Army
Evidence: The reign of ‘King Pym’ laid down foundations for Parliamentary loans and
taxes that provided financial advantage for Parliament to then spend on the Solemn
