James I, Charles I and the descent into Civil War, the King executed, Cromwell rules

James Stuart was a Scottish Catholic who believed in the "Divine Right" to rule as he pleased. This brought him into conflict with the English Parliament. The failed Catholic Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament in 1605 led to anti catholic riots. The failure of both James and his son Charles I to understand the English tradition of parliamentary liberty led eventually to civil war

James died unlamented (not regretted) in 1625. Charles I immediately came in to conflict with Parliament. He tried to rule without summoning (calling) parliament for 11 years, but eventually ran out of money, and summoned Parliament in 1640

Parliament was naturally peeved (irritated) about his neglect of their rights. They refused him money, and the country split between supporters of the king and supporters of parliamen

The first major Engagement of the Civil War was at Edgehill in the Cotswolds in 1642. Indecision among the Royalists and the moulding of the New Model army by the parliamentarians led to Parliament gaining the upper hand, and by 1645 Cromwell won the decisive Battle of Naseby. Charles was captured (caught) and put on trial (taken to court) for treason (измена) in 1649. He refused to recognize the court, but was regardless found guilty. 59 republicans signed the death warrant (order), and after the restoration Charles II prosecuted (took to court) those that he could.

Oliver Cromwell and the army emerged as the power in the land. Cromwell dissolved parliament with the words "Depart I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God , go!" It was the start of England's only period of dictatorship Cromwell was unable to find anything to replace the monarchy. When he died in 1658 his son Richard succeeded him, but "Tumbledown (развалюха) Dick" was not a man to rule Britain, and in 1660 Charles II was restored to the throne his father had died for.

British History from Cromwell to the First World War in 1914

This period cover the restoration of the monarchy - Charles II, James II , William III and Anne. With the succession (a continuous row) of the German House of Hanover, parliamentary rule became properly established. The basis of our modern political parties came into being with the Whigs and the Tories.

Britain prospered, with the creation of her Empire (though the American Colonies were lost). The industrial revolution brought about a more urban society.

Little money had to be spent on debilitating (weakening) wars, until Europe slid into World War I. Republicanism had failed, the monarchy restored, Charles II fell out with parliament, James II was overthrown

The House of Hanover - German George's 1715 to 1815 On Anne's death the country chose a distant Protestant relation to succeed. George of Hanover and his descendants ruled for the next century

Power, Peace and Prosperity 1815 to 1914 Another historically glorious period. Britain was a world force, the British Empire spanned (embraced) the globe, Victoria was on the throne

Restoration

Date: 2016-01-14; view: 644