17th Century England

Lesson 6: 1641 - The Second Half

Irish Revolt

On November 1st news broke of an Irish revolt, in which Catholic Irish massacred Protestant settlers. Stories began filtering back to England that were both wild rumour and truth, working the English people into a frenzy of panic. The slightest word could spark a national emergency and panic.

Pym laid the blame of the rebellion on the Catholic Queen, Henrietta, and began fermenting unrest in the capital, organising protests and demonstrations against the Catholics and the Queen. The Royalist Mayor of London was unseated and Charles decided to act, thinking things had gone too far.

He dismissed the Parliamentarian Lieutenant of the Tower of London and replaced him with his own man. But due to the man's reputation, Charles was compelled to repudiate the action.

Pym meanwhile was following up his assaults. He managed to pass a vote through Parliament stating that the King should only employ those people that Parliament agreed to. The crowds began to gather again and riots ensued against the Bishops, who were violently attacked and manhandled on their way to Parliament.

On Pym's orders, gangs and mobs outside Parliament began intimidating moderate men. The apprentices were always glad of some action and riots, and they were quick to take advantage of Pym's discreet and tacit support.

Amid this tension, Parliament passed a vote that all military appointments should be transferred from the King's power to theirs.

Before Christmas, Charles journeyed to Parliament to insist that aid be voted to Ireland to help the Protestant settlers. Nothing was done though, and England remained unable to manage its own quarrels, as illustrated in Wilfrid Emberton's The English Civil War Day by Day.

On December 30th 1641, Pym received a petition from the Bishops about their cause. He dramatically called for the doors to be locked and the militia to be brought to Parliament while he read this petition. Members of Parliament were in tense and intimidated moods after this and ready to believe anything. Pym then called for all the Bishops to be impeached and the House of Lords sent all but 2 to the Tower of London.

In one swoop, he had packed off 22 votes from the House of Lords, all of which were in the King’s favour.

At the end of 1641, the King’s power was limited to such an extent that the King was practically powerless save to manage the army and wars.

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