English Civil War

Introduction

Next to the Reformation itself, this war was the most pivotal event in early modern English history. The war was an violent struggle for power between Parliament and the king that at first seemed to have been settled in favor of Parliament, but in the end created a constitutional monarchy.

In 1642 when both Parliament and King declared they had control of the army. When some members of the army chose to obey the king while others chose to obey Parliament, the civil war began. It ended in 1649 with the execution of Charles I by Parliament&emdash;the seeming victory of Parliament. Yet, within a few years, Oliver Cromwell was dictator (he called himself the Lord Protector), and he ruled England for most of the 1650s. By the time he died, the English ruling class was ready to do almost anything to restore the monarchy, and Charles II returned to England in 1660. His return was nearly bloodless.

The conflict between king and Parliament has a very long history, going back almost to the beginnings of Parliament itself. For this essay, however, I choose to begin with a few words about James I.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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