1.4.2: Charles I + The Civil War (1642-1646) ROYALIST WEAKNESSES PARLIAMENTARIAN STRENGTHS
Weaknesses of the Royalists Support for Parliamentarians
ROYALIST STRENGTHS
Geographical control: C had control of North, Midlands + Negative factors: fears of royal absolutism, distrust in King, fear of
Support for Royalists south-west. These areas typically poorer and had lower Catholic plot
population - unable to raise adequate tax revenues to fund
Negative factors: fear of Parliamentary absolutism, religious radicalism war, i.e. Largest city was York, w. 10,000. Authority was Positive factors: feeling church/state not safe in King's hands + desire
+ popular rebellion limited by divided forces - Parl. Gloucester, Bristol, Hull + for a new settlement - sought reform to Church in abolishing
Manchester forced C to split troops bishops/reform political system
Positive factors: commitment to constitutional royalism, to the traditional
balanced constitution, a desire to protect Anglican church, bishops + its Long-term issues/lack of external allies: Position strong Strengths of the Parliamentarians
traditions, loyalty to the King/divine right short-term, weak long-term. Control of poorer regions led to
Control of London: Political capital - gave political
financial issues - struggled to raise money effectively. Few
Strengths of the Royalists dominance over Westminster. Largest demographic of
external allies meant C fought the war on his own - attempts
400,000 - financial capital/income. Influence of the London
to involve French unsuccessful
Loyalty + Tradition: Majority of E had a natural allegiance to C Mob/Trained Militia Bands had impacted previous political
- presented Parl. as challenging this natural allegiance. Parl. Failure to capture London: London the political, economic affairs, demonstrating its importance
seen to be going against God + King. C presented himself as and social capital of England. Closest attempt was Battle of
the defender of tradition/the constitution. Radicalism of Parl. Control of Navy/Other resources: Navy + Port control
Turnham Green, but failed due to Earl of Essex. Failure to
led many to assume Puritans were attempting to transform the prevented enemies importing weapons/trade - intercepted C
capture meant a loss of resources - had the largest military
Church - Anglicans respected monarch as Gov. of church. call on Dutch for support. Could control imports/exports - vital
supplies + direct international trade access via ports.
Gained support from previous critics, inc. Hyde, Digby + for collection of taxes + supporting armies. Had logistical
Falkland Evaluation/Judgement advantage, i.e. helping to relieve the Siege of Hull
Financial Backing: Rich Nobles support King, i.e. Earl of Undermined their attempts to mount a cohesive and adequate response Alliances: The Solemn-League + Covenant: Agreement
Worcester donating £300k in 1642 + £900k by 1945. YET: Needed a short-term war – the longer = a bigger threat. with Scottish - they send army of 22,00 to E led by Alexander
Donations only short-term and potentially unstable: only suited Leslie + E would commit to a Presbyterian settlement in
short-term wars PARLIEMANTARIAN WEAKNESSES Church. Strengthened military resources and unified
opposition against the Royalists, i.e. Marston Moor (July
Cavalry: Decisive factor in modern battles - could turn the Weaknesses of the Parliamentarians 1644)
tides. Able to master a strong cavalry force due to noble
financial backing. E.g.: Earl of Northampton had 100 Finance: Parl. needed to sustain war effort - introduced a Impacts: Provoked furious opposition within
gentlemen who paid own expenses + 40 further he paid. Earl of serious of 'ad hoc' measures. Introduced Financial Ordinances Parliament: Anglo-Scottish tensions emerged.
Newcastle raised/equipped 8000 men out of pocket: 'The White under Pym. E.g. Weekly Assessment Ordinance (Feb 1643) + Peace Party (Political Presbyterians) - Wanted a
Coats'. Exercise Ordinance (July 1643) Pres. church settlement to unite both Kingdoms.
War Party (Political Independents) - Rejected Pres.
Tax Revenues: Used traditional tax revenues collected by Weekly Assessment Ordinance (Feb 1643): church + favoured religious tolerance/belief in
local men (sheriffs) - had authority of King: However, often County-by-county tax per week - copied formula for liberty of conscience. Pym introduces Assembly of
unreliable. YET: Ability to raise tax reduced in The Long Ship Money. Raised £600,00 pa. Funded the New Divines to sooth divisions (effectively ignoring the
Parliament, i.e. Tonnage + Poundage Act Model Army in 1645 issue until a later date) - Parl facing their 'darkest
hour' 1643. Military Impacts: Forced Earl of
Army: Benefited from having a ready made army + a unified Exercise Ordinance (July 1643): Tax on
Newcastle to move troops up North, Parl. success
command structure - reduce infighting/threats to authority. YET: production/licencing of goods - originally on beer,
at Marston Moor, BUT only involved in 1 battle +
C often indecisive (i.e. Edgehill) + appointed people via social cider, spirits + soap, but extended to day-to-day
caused divisions
standing, not ability or merit. E.g.: Prince Rupert of the Rhine items like meat, fish, clothes + leather. Raised
appointed General of the Horse - successful experience in cav. £300,000 pa. Lasted until 1660 Evaluation/Judgement
charges, yet had poor discipline + often left battlefield for
Military Divisions: Unable to get local militias to fight - Numerous strengths that aided their victory – noticeably, many a
baggage train
viewed role to defend their regions only. Created 'associations' contrast to C/Royalists weaknesses.
A Clear aim: A clear purpose to restore royal authority under - merged counties together, i.e. Eastern Association consisted Political Divisions: Committee of Safety created to oversee war effort -
the terms of the 1641 Reforms by Capturing London. Made of 5 counties. Undermined a coherent national strategy - i.e. 10 HoC (inc. Hampden, Pym, Glynn, Fiennes) + 5 HoL (inc. Essex,
Battle of Roundway Down (1643), Parl. isolated Western Holland, Northumberland). Lead to divided ideas/aims of the war, unable
KEY
effective useBATTLES + SIGNIFICANCE
of aims via propaganda
Association decimated by Rupert's ANALYSIS – WHY DID
superior cavalry C LOSE THE CIVILresponse
WAR to the Royalists. 'Peace Party' (Peace
to mount a coherent
Evaluation/Judgement
Battle of Edgehill (26th October 1643) ASAP), 'Middle ground' (negotiate from strength) + 'War Party' (new
Evaluation/Judgement
Reasons for Loss (4) The+Self-Denying
constitution Ordinance + Formation of the NMA
possible republic)
Clear unity Cwith a clear
threw away purpose to due
a victory restore CharlesCav.
to Rupert's to power. Had -
approach
significant strengths Demonstrates internal
(1) Failure divisions/fractionalisation
to Capture London in 1642 within Parliament, undermining their unity/ability
Jan 1645 to produce
The a cohesive
Political opposition
Independents to C +introduce
(War Party) the Royalists
attemptingthat aided baggage
to seize their attempts, however
train. C delayedthese merely
making a
favoured a decision
short-term war, not long-term. (2) Failure to Negotiate from a position of strength in 1643 SDO - separated military leadership from political leadership:
after battle - allowed Earl of Essex to regroup + get
(3) The Solemn-League + Covenant no MP serve in Army, except Cromwell. Why?: Political unity
to London before Royalists at Battle of Turnham Green (13th
(4) The Self-Denying Ordinance – NMA breaking down, threatened integrity of military, tensions over
Weaknesses of the Royalists Support for Parliamentarians
ROYALIST STRENGTHS
Geographical control: C had control of North, Midlands + Negative factors: fears of royal absolutism, distrust in King, fear of
Support for Royalists south-west. These areas typically poorer and had lower Catholic plot
population - unable to raise adequate tax revenues to fund
Negative factors: fear of Parliamentary absolutism, religious radicalism war, i.e. Largest city was York, w. 10,000. Authority was Positive factors: feeling church/state not safe in King's hands + desire
+ popular rebellion limited by divided forces - Parl. Gloucester, Bristol, Hull + for a new settlement - sought reform to Church in abolishing
Manchester forced C to split troops bishops/reform political system
Positive factors: commitment to constitutional royalism, to the traditional
balanced constitution, a desire to protect Anglican church, bishops + its Long-term issues/lack of external allies: Position strong Strengths of the Parliamentarians
traditions, loyalty to the King/divine right short-term, weak long-term. Control of poorer regions led to
Control of London: Political capital - gave political
financial issues - struggled to raise money effectively. Few
Strengths of the Royalists dominance over Westminster. Largest demographic of
external allies meant C fought the war on his own - attempts
400,000 - financial capital/income. Influence of the London
to involve French unsuccessful
Loyalty + Tradition: Majority of E had a natural allegiance to C Mob/Trained Militia Bands had impacted previous political
- presented Parl. as challenging this natural allegiance. Parl. Failure to capture London: London the political, economic affairs, demonstrating its importance
seen to be going against God + King. C presented himself as and social capital of England. Closest attempt was Battle of
the defender of tradition/the constitution. Radicalism of Parl. Control of Navy/Other resources: Navy + Port control
Turnham Green, but failed due to Earl of Essex. Failure to
led many to assume Puritans were attempting to transform the prevented enemies importing weapons/trade - intercepted C
capture meant a loss of resources - had the largest military
Church - Anglicans respected monarch as Gov. of church. call on Dutch for support. Could control imports/exports - vital
supplies + direct international trade access via ports.
Gained support from previous critics, inc. Hyde, Digby + for collection of taxes + supporting armies. Had logistical
Falkland Evaluation/Judgement advantage, i.e. helping to relieve the Siege of Hull
Financial Backing: Rich Nobles support King, i.e. Earl of Undermined their attempts to mount a cohesive and adequate response Alliances: The Solemn-League + Covenant: Agreement
Worcester donating £300k in 1642 + £900k by 1945. YET: Needed a short-term war – the longer = a bigger threat. with Scottish - they send army of 22,00 to E led by Alexander
Donations only short-term and potentially unstable: only suited Leslie + E would commit to a Presbyterian settlement in
short-term wars PARLIEMANTARIAN WEAKNESSES Church. Strengthened military resources and unified
opposition against the Royalists, i.e. Marston Moor (July
Cavalry: Decisive factor in modern battles - could turn the Weaknesses of the Parliamentarians 1644)
tides. Able to master a strong cavalry force due to noble
financial backing. E.g.: Earl of Northampton had 100 Finance: Parl. needed to sustain war effort - introduced a Impacts: Provoked furious opposition within
gentlemen who paid own expenses + 40 further he paid. Earl of serious of 'ad hoc' measures. Introduced Financial Ordinances Parliament: Anglo-Scottish tensions emerged.
Newcastle raised/equipped 8000 men out of pocket: 'The White under Pym. E.g. Weekly Assessment Ordinance (Feb 1643) + Peace Party (Political Presbyterians) - Wanted a
Coats'. Exercise Ordinance (July 1643) Pres. church settlement to unite both Kingdoms.
War Party (Political Independents) - Rejected Pres.
Tax Revenues: Used traditional tax revenues collected by Weekly Assessment Ordinance (Feb 1643): church + favoured religious tolerance/belief in
local men (sheriffs) - had authority of King: However, often County-by-county tax per week - copied formula for liberty of conscience. Pym introduces Assembly of
unreliable. YET: Ability to raise tax reduced in The Long Ship Money. Raised £600,00 pa. Funded the New Divines to sooth divisions (effectively ignoring the
Parliament, i.e. Tonnage + Poundage Act Model Army in 1645 issue until a later date) - Parl facing their 'darkest
hour' 1643. Military Impacts: Forced Earl of
Army: Benefited from having a ready made army + a unified Exercise Ordinance (July 1643): Tax on
Newcastle to move troops up North, Parl. success
command structure - reduce infighting/threats to authority. YET: production/licencing of goods - originally on beer,
at Marston Moor, BUT only involved in 1 battle +
C often indecisive (i.e. Edgehill) + appointed people via social cider, spirits + soap, but extended to day-to-day
caused divisions
standing, not ability or merit. E.g.: Prince Rupert of the Rhine items like meat, fish, clothes + leather. Raised
appointed General of the Horse - successful experience in cav. £300,000 pa. Lasted until 1660 Evaluation/Judgement
charges, yet had poor discipline + often left battlefield for
Military Divisions: Unable to get local militias to fight - Numerous strengths that aided their victory – noticeably, many a
baggage train
viewed role to defend their regions only. Created 'associations' contrast to C/Royalists weaknesses.
A Clear aim: A clear purpose to restore royal authority under - merged counties together, i.e. Eastern Association consisted Political Divisions: Committee of Safety created to oversee war effort -
the terms of the 1641 Reforms by Capturing London. Made of 5 counties. Undermined a coherent national strategy - i.e. 10 HoC (inc. Hampden, Pym, Glynn, Fiennes) + 5 HoL (inc. Essex,
Battle of Roundway Down (1643), Parl. isolated Western Holland, Northumberland). Lead to divided ideas/aims of the war, unable
KEY
effective useBATTLES + SIGNIFICANCE
of aims via propaganda
Association decimated by Rupert's ANALYSIS – WHY DID
superior cavalry C LOSE THE CIVILresponse
WAR to the Royalists. 'Peace Party' (Peace
to mount a coherent
Evaluation/Judgement
Battle of Edgehill (26th October 1643) ASAP), 'Middle ground' (negotiate from strength) + 'War Party' (new
Evaluation/Judgement
Reasons for Loss (4) The+Self-Denying
constitution Ordinance + Formation of the NMA
possible republic)
Clear unity Cwith a clear
threw away purpose to due
a victory restore CharlesCav.
to Rupert's to power. Had -
approach
significant strengths Demonstrates internal
(1) Failure divisions/fractionalisation
to Capture London in 1642 within Parliament, undermining their unity/ability
Jan 1645 to produce
The a cohesive
Political opposition
Independents to C +introduce
(War Party) the Royalists
attemptingthat aided baggage
to seize their attempts, however
train. C delayedthese merely
making a
favoured a decision
short-term war, not long-term. (2) Failure to Negotiate from a position of strength in 1643 SDO - separated military leadership from political leadership:
after battle - allowed Earl of Essex to regroup + get
(3) The Solemn-League + Covenant no MP serve in Army, except Cromwell. Why?: Political unity
to London before Royalists at Battle of Turnham Green (13th
(4) The Self-Denying Ordinance – NMA breaking down, threatened integrity of military, tensions over
