The origins of the civil war

The Origins of the Civil War 16401642

The Election of the Long Parliament
Anticourt consensus

A consensus is a general agreement or shared attitude. The Anti court Consensus is
referring to the majority of MP's who assembled in November 1640. These MP's agreed that
the courts policies had to be…

The First Session of the Long Parliament Nov 16401641
The fall of Wentworth (Earl of Stratford) Nov 1640 May 1641

First target of the anticourt consensus were the Kings evil advisors. Laud was arrested and
sent to the tower eventually executed in 1645 (WOOO). Wentworth was feared in Ireland
and…

John Pym and Opposition to the Crown

Some MP's worried about the legality of Wentworth's execution, but he presented these
measures as being necessary to safeguarding the freedoms of the commons, he played on
fears of Catholic conspiracy. Prominent supports of Pym like Sir Henry Vane and Oliver St
John.…

MP's were satisfied with the first session, still fears of a catholic conspiracy and
some MP's had doubts about Pym's use of the Mob to pressurise the lords into
passing measures
Important questions remained
Organisation of the Church?
Role of Parliament in relation to the Crown?
Most MP's wished to…

The Emergence Divisions

Pym saw Henrietta Maria and her associates at court as being dangerous influences on
Charles. Henrietta Maria never understood the ideas behind the English constitution, in such
sensitive times her ignorance was to be of critical importance. Edward Hyde was a
"Constitutional Royalist" ­ these were people…

Now the oppressive rule of Wentworth had been removed the Catholic Irish had risen
against the Presbyteries, 4,000 Protestant died in the massacres. Horror stories which
circulated grew more and more distressing. The revolt was, once again, damaging to
Charles.

The rebels claimed (falsely) to be acting in his name…

The Militia Ordinance of 1642, this ordered the appointing of officers to the military with
orders that they make sure the Militia was prepared. Issued by Parliament. (In theory only
could be issued by the king)

The Commission of Array

The King did not have a great deal of success…