Why did we have a civil war? - Info pack

The English Civil War, a pivotal event in British history, was precipitated by a complex interplay of political, religious, and personal factors. Charles I's ascension to the throne in 1625 marked the continuation of the belief in the "divine right of kings," a doctrine asserting that monarchs are appointed by God and thus wield absolute power. Tensions escalated when Parliament refused to grant Charles the financial support he sought, leading to a strained relationship that would eventually culminate in civil war. Charles I's character played a crucial role in the conflict, and his eventual fate was unprecedented – he was the first English king to be publicly executed, a decision signed off by his notable adversary, Oliver Cromwell.

Financial strains and the assertion of royal prerogative set the stage for the escalating conflict between the monarchy and Parliament. James I, who preceded Charles I, had already sown seeds of discord by suspending Parliament and imposing his will without legislative consent. His death in 1625 left a legacy of unresolved tensions that Charles inherited. The new king's confrontational stance, particularly his locking of Parliament's doors in 1629, which led to the Eleven Years' Tyranny, and his attempts to arrest his critics in 1642, signaled the breakdown of royal and parliamentary relations. Charles's inability to compromise and his staunch belief in his divine authority propelled the nation into civil war, as he left London to raise an army against Parliament, setting the stage for a conflict that would forever alter the course of English governance.