Divisions in the Army (1647)

Pres beliefs:

Wanted to abolish episcopacy and replace it with a Pres system, still be a national church but hierarchy of bishops would be replaced with an assembly. Chief spokesman Holles (involved in Newcastle propositions) they favoured negogtiation and wanted to disband the NMA. 

Indep beliefs:

Each Christian congregation should be autonomous, group was a minority in P but had powerful supported (CROMWELL) they wanted to force settlement on the king. 

CI's delay meant that power continually switched between the two.

• Seats in Commons that were vacant were filled by 'recruiter' elections, many were won by Indeps. 
• Pres boosted when CI trasferred to their custody. 
• Indep close links to NMA. Pres intended to disband them with only 8 weeks of pay and send 12,000 of them to Ireland. 47, Commons voted only Pres and non-MPs should serve as officers. Army refused. 
• One issue both agreed on was the threat of radicals such as the Levellers. They became increasingly active in London and issued a petition stating the nation was still oppressed and grievances not changed. Commons ordered the petiton to be burned. 

Joyce arrived at Holmby House to take possession of the King, kidnapped him from custody: 

• CI taken to join the Army at Newmarket where he was transferred to Hampton Court. 
• Leading officers (OC) signed an Engagement to stand with the Army. 
• General Council of the Army established. They discussed poltical issues. 
• 'Representation of the Army' published and written by Ireton (OC'S son-in-law) He demanded the expulsion of 11 Pres MPs and fresh elections. 
• 58 indeps sought refuge with the Army and Fairfax led his forces into London in August. 
• Army marched through London (Show of strength), Fairfax appointed to constable of the Tower of London. Six Pres named fled abroad. 

Ireton presented CI with a new offer for political settlement: 

• Triennial Act repealed and replaced with Biennial Parliaments. 
• P would nominate key officers of state for 10 years. 
• P would control militia for 10 years. 
• Continued use of bishops but restriction on their coercive powers. 
• 7 Royalists exempt from pardon. 

More resonable to CI, accepted these and Army grandees appeared a moderate force who were willing to reinstate CI with most of his powers intact.