17th Century England

Lesson 8: King or Parliament?

Why Parliamentarian?

Here are some Parliamentarian viewpoints and reasons as to why people sided with the Parliament:

At the beginning of the war, Parliament itself claimed their armies were for the following, which was written in the Earl of Essex’s commission:

“For the safety of the King’s person, the defence of both Houses of Parliament and of those who have obeyed their orders and commands and for the preservation of the true religion, laws, liberties and peace of the kingdom.”

Sir John Oxindon evaded a direct decision by claiming that supporting Parliament was, in effect, supporting the King as both were necessary for each other's survival: “Those for the commonwealth in so doing, stand for the King and consequently both for King and Parliament.”

The Earl of Northumberland, the King’s Lord High Admiral wrote:

“We believe that those persons who are most powerful with the King do endeavour to bring Parliament to such a condition that they shall only be made instruments to execute the commands of the King, who were established for his most supreme council.”

A Puritan soldier wrote of his decision for Parliament:

“When I put my hand to the Lord’s work in 1642, I did it not rashly, but had many an hour and night to seek God, to know my way.”

Lady Sussex wrote to Ralph Verney with the following words:

“These distracted times put us in great disorder…I pray God bless you with safety; your Parliament flies high; truly it is a happy thing, I think, they have so much courage to stand and to maintain their right.”

  1  2  3  4  5