New Model Army Intervention in Politics

In early spring 1647, Parliament planned to send 12,400 men from the New Model Army to Ireland, with 6,400 staying. Payment arrears were unmentioned, alongside assuring no prosecution for crimes committed during the war. Officers, and then soldiers; 8 weeks arrear was offered, but 18 weeks was owed to infantry and 43 to cavarlymen. They feared militancy and almost caused a second civil war, with plans to: purge army of Independent officers; army sent to Ireland under Presbyterian officers to supress Irish Rebellion; all New Model regiments that refused to be disbanded; a new army to be formed from London trained bands. In March, the army responded with the New Model Army Petition and was condemned with treason with the Declaration of Dislike by Parliament. On 29 May, the army refused. Aigitators, on behalf of regiments, issued demands to officers: freedom from conscription; soldiers not to be forced to serve in Ireland; right of soldiers to petition; free worship and law reform; ex-Royalists purged from office; curbing quartering of troops; army pensions to be paid to war widows and disabled soldiers; apprentices whose training was interrupted by the war to have freedom to practise their trades; civilian corruption investigation. April.

500 soldiers led by Cornet George Joyce rode to Holdenby House, Northamptonshire, and took Charles to Newmarket from Parliament Control, where the General Council of Officers was set up, 2 June 1647, so Parliament couldn't negotiate without the army.

The officers felt torn in commitments as they wanted Parliament commissions, but also feared if they tried to disband the army, they wouldn't be able to control the rank in file, and so took the case of the soldiers in negotiations between Parliament and King. On 5 June 1647 the Solemn Engagement of the Army was issued, where General Fairfax called general rendezvous of the New Model Army at Newmarket, where he spoke to regiments. Army promised not to disband until its grievances were met. The 14 June Army's Declaration, drafted by Ireton, described how the army had…