![[Prev Page]](/westciv/images/previous.gif)
![[Contents]](/westciv/images/toc.gif)
![[Next Page]](/westciv/images/next.gif)
English Civil War
The Army Takes Over
Parliament had won, but really it was the army that had won, and that army was deeply tied to radical religious movements all over England. The radical ministers within the army were agitating for even more change and stronger measures, and the soldiers had proved there really wasn't anyone in England with the strength to oppose them. Worse, Parliament was broke and couldn't pay the soldiers, giving them cause for grievances.
Parliament was still being led by men of more moderate persuasion, or at least by men who sought some sort of settlement with the king. After long negotiation, in May 1647, Charles agreed in principle to accept both presbyterianism and parliamentary control of the army for a limited number of years. In exchange, Parliament ordered the current army to disband.
The army refused. Oliver Cromwell took charge of the army and set a guard over Charles to prevent the King from further negotiating with Parliament behind the army's back. The captain guard on his own removed Charles in the night to Hampton Court, giving the radical army direct possession of the king.