- •Early britain
- •Prehistoric Britain
- •Cultural Focus: Stonehenge
- •Celtic Invasions
- •Cultural Focus: The Druids
- •The Roman Conquest and Occupation
- •Early History
- •The Romans and the Celts
- •Early History
- •The Fall of Britannia
- •The Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms
- •The Anglo-Saxon Culture
- •The scandinavian invasion First Raids and Battles
- •Danelaw
- •Cultural Focus: King Alfred the Great
- •Restoration of the Saxon Kings
- •The norman conquest The Norman Invasion
- •The House of Normandy
- •The Effect of the Norman Conquest
- •Cultural Focus: The Canterbury Tale
- •Magna Carta. The First Parliament
- •Cultural Focus: Prince of Wales
- •The Wars of the Roses
- •England in the 16th century. The tudor monarchy
- •Henry VII
- •Henry VIII — Beginning of the Reign
- •Henry VIII and the Reformation
- •Edward VI
- •Bloody Mary
- •Mary, Queen of Scots
- •Elizabethan Times
- •Cultural Focus: English Renaissance
- •England in the 17th century. The stuart dynasty
- •James the First
- •Charles the First
- •Civil Wars. Execution of the King
- •Republic of Commonwealth
- •The Restoration Period
- •Glorious Revolution
- •William III
- •The Union with Scotland
- •Building the Empire
- •George III. The American Revolution
- •The Industrial Revolution
- •4) Negotiate, negotiable, negotiator, negotiation
- •7) Stipulate, stipulation
- •8) Smuggle, smuggler, smuggling
- •Britain in the 19th century
- •The Period of Napoleonic Wars
- •Britain after the Napoleonic Wars
- •The Victorian Age
- •British Empire
- •Britain in the first half of the 20™ century
- •The Beginning of the Century
- •Fighting for the Vote
- •Death of Edward VII. King George V
- •The First World War
- •Britain after World War I
- •Britain in World War II: 1939-1943
- •The Crown in World War II
- •Britain in the second half of the 20th century
- •The Commonwealth
- •Domestic Affairs
- •Cultural Focus: Welfare in Britain
- •Britain and Her European Neighbours
- •The Royal Family Today
- •1. Geographical factors:
- •2. Historical factors:
- •Bibliography
Civil Wars. Execution of the King
The first war between the Royalists and Roundheads began if. 1642 and lasted till 1646. It was lost by King's forces so the Queen and Prince Charles had to escape to France. The King escaped to Scotland, but the Scots gave him to the English Parliament. The war was announced over after King's arrest in 1646.
The main forces in the Long Parliament were Presbyterians — the right wing of Puritans. They wanted to establish in England Presbyterian Church where all congregations were headed by presbyters — elected church elders. Presbyterians were opposed by Independents — Cromwell's supporters, who were determined to crash the King.
In 1647, Charles escaped from arrest and signed an agreement with the Scots. According to this agreement the Scots promised to invade England and restore Charles, while Charles promised to establish in England Pres-byterianism and to suppress other sects.
English and Scottish Presbyterians allied with the Royalists against the New Model Army and the war broke again in 1648. Charles I was announced to be responsible for the renewal of the war and demanded to be brought to trial. Cromwell's army beat the allies and Cromwell became the most powerful person in England.
The House of Commons now included fewer than 100 members as Presbyterian members had been either arrested or sent home. The remaining members were known as the Rump Parliament, their work was to appoint a court that would judge the King guilty. Charles I was brought to London and accused of tyranny and making war upon his subjects. After the seven days trial King was condemned to death and beheaded before a huge crowd of people on 30, January 1649.
In February 1649, the House of Lords was abolished and England was proclaimed a Commonwealth or Republic.
Republic of Commonwealth
The Independents after King Charles' execution took the government into their hands, abolished the office of King and the House of Lords. They constituted a Commonwealth with Council of State of forty-one members. This new government included people of different beliefs and opinions — Catholics, Anglicans and Presbyterians. The majority recognised Oliver Cromwell as their leader.
The Scots, shocked by the King's execution, in 1650 invited the King's son Charles to fight against Cromwell's army but Cromwell's army defeated Scottish forces. After the Scottish rebellion had been suppressed young Charles had to escape to France. Scotland was brought under English republican rule.
The same year English forces conquered Ireland, beginning the policy of colonisation. In due course this policy showed some positive results — Scotland and Ireland each were granted thirty seats in the British Parliament and free trade with Britain was established.
Though Cromwell's administration was rather successful, it needed legitimate power that was got in 1653. After the Rump Parliament was dissolved, a military dictatorship was established. Cromwell was proclaimed Lord-Protector for life. England was divided into twelve districts, each under the control of a Major-General loyal to Cromwell.
Cromwell established military regime in the country — he used the army to maintain law and strict order. People were forbidden to celebrate Christmas and Easter or to play games on Sunday.
In 1658, Cromwell died, having nominated his son Richard Cromwell as a successor. Richard resigned after holding office for five months and the Army appointed Committee of Safety to govern trie country. General Monk with his firmy came back from Scotland to keep peace at Westminster.
In London Monk initiated the summoning of a new Parliament where royalists gained majority. The House of Lords was restored. The House of Commons recognised that government ought to be ruled "by King, Lords and Commons". Charles was invited to return to his kingdom. In May 1660, British monarchy was restored — Charles II Stuart became the King of England.