Who was to blame for the failure to reach settlement after 1646?

To what extent was Parliament more to blame than Charles I for the failure of settlement in the years 1646 to 1649?

Intro:

• 5 different parties involved: KING, PARLIAMENT, ARMY, SCOTS & LEVELLERS
• everyone wanted something different.
• People discontent
• Reasonable/unreasonable terms?

Paragraph 1- PARLIAMENT:

Parliament itself was split in 2: INDEPENDENTS & PRESBYTERIANS. Neither side could agree with the other and this caused problems.

• For PRESBYTERIANS:      
  • King was INDESPENSABLE- give him back power BUT with a few RESTRAINS
  • Scots were their allies- Presbyterian Church was best for the whole country- bring UNIFORMITY & SOCIAL ORDER
  • Lower taxes- nation has to get back to normal. Also limit power of country committees & return to traditional government
  • Disban New Model Army- can't afford it: it is DANGEROUS and had nothing to do
• For INDEPENDENTS:    
  • King can't be TRUSTED- MUST be FORCED to accept limits
  • Scots are interfering in E's affairs & they are opposed to religious toleration.
  • Religious toleration for Protestants- that is what they have been fighting for
  • Keep high taxes- money is needed & can't give up opportunity
  • Keep New Model Army- like NO OTHER army in history. It has better claim to represent people than Long Parliament

Paragraph 2- CHARLES:

Charles, being Charles, thought that because he was king, he was right and he could do as he pleased because he was divinely appointed by God. 

• After signing Strafford's death warrant, vowed he wouldn't come to terms with P.
• Experience taught him that the longer he held out, the deeper divisions became amongst enemies. In short- term: nation faced chaos- eventually enemies would have to turn to him to restore peace. Held out too long though.
• Refused treaties/ propositions: was STUBBORN, UNCOMMUNICATIVE & LOYAL TO FRIENDS. P. tried v. hard to negotiate with him (Cromwell had shown emotion towards him & his children) but he wouldn't have any of it & P. got ANNOYED
• To him, all propositions were too much what parliament wanted. Still believed to be divinely appointed king.

Paragraph 3- THE ARMY:

The army played a vital role in the division because it, like parliament…