17th Century England

Lesson 7: The Road to War 1642

It's Formal, This is War

All across the country men were trying to secure local Trained Bands for either side, and gain the local ammunition as well as gather up resources of silver or gold plate, donations, any weapons and other men.

Parliament began the War by branding all who left it to travel to the King as enemies of the state. The King followed suit by declaring all of Parliament's supporters to be traitors.

Towns began to garrison for either side; Hull for Parliament and then all of a sudden, George Goring, the Governor of Portsmouth declared for the King. It was too pathetically early for such a move and before the King could take advantage of this base, Parliament besieged it while the Navy blockaded, and it soon fell.

Both sides were desperate for money and the taxes which Parliament had presented to the King for collection had still not received Royal assent, nor would they. The money now was for financing a war against the King. Parliament now issued an ordinance, which meant they were implementing the law without legal Royal assent.

They couched it in polite terms asking that although no subject was compelled to pay, it would be counted a service to the commonwealth to pay the duties as though the King had himself passed it. Even now though, most remained uncommitted to a side and many thought that war could still be avoided - somehow?

On a rainy grey day, a melancholy King Charles rode towards the hill outside Nottingham Castle with a rich cavalcade, including his sons and nephews and senior officers.

Although it was a rich and spectacular site, not many people turned out to watch the ceremony. As the trumpeters sounded before the King's speech was read, the inhabitants were working on the fields, for it was harvest time.

Charles's bleak mood infected most around him and the standard blew down later, some deep down thinking it was an omen.

Charles was despondant because he feared war and the effect it would have on his people. He also did not seem to comprehend how he could possibly fight against his own people and indeed he was highly tense about this fact.

A Civil War was, to him, a terrible indication of God's wrath on the country and he lay in a state of suspense, waiting with dread for one of two scenarios: WAR or PEACE.

Parliament, meanwhile, was having good fortune. They held the Navy, London and its city financiers which could grant money, the main ammunition bases in the country and also, by early September, 15,000 men.

Charles had only his own legal position - i.e. that of supporting a Church ideal which was closest to the one whihc had existed before the dispute, continuity and tradition and aa lawful balance of King and Parliament. He only had a force of just under 4000.

When Charles eventually realised that there was no other course but conflict, he resolved on that avenue completely. Charles's character was such that he would take a long time to make his mind up, but once he decided on a course of action, he would never sway from it. Thus he was annoyed and upset to tears of frustration when his advisors pressured him to make one last offer of peace.

Charles saw this as weakening his position, for men would never commit to him if they thought he was still aiming for a peace. But without any support, Charles reluctantly send peace feelers out again. Obviously at this late stage they were rebuffed and Charles's instincts proved right.

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