AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
The end of the First Civil War: divisions amongst the Parliamentary…
Full specification wording
2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660 – only) War and radicalism, 1642–1646 (A-level only): The end of the First Civil War: divisions amongst the Parliamentary leaders; attempts at settlement; the capture of Charles I
The end of the First Civil War in 1646 brought instability rather than peace.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The end of the First Civil War in 1646 brought instability rather than peace. Parliament fractured into factions: the Presbyterians sought a swift, compromising accommodation with the King, while the Independents demanded stricter terms and religious toleration. Attempts at settlement, notably the Newcastle Propositions of 1646, failed because Charles I stubbornly refused to concede control of the militia or accept Presbyterianism. The crisis deepened with the capture of Charles I. Initially surrendering to the Scots, he was handed over to Parliament, and subsequently seized by the New Model Army. This transformed the King into a pawn in the escalating power struggle between a divided Parliament and an increasingly politicised military.
What earns the marks
- Identify the ideological and religious differences between the Presbyterian and Independent factions within Parliament.
- Analyse the terms of the Newcastle Propositions and explain why Charles I rejected them.
- Evaluate the strategic implications of Charles I surrendering to the Scottish army rather than Parliament.
- Assess how the New Model Army's seizure of the King from Holdenby House shifted the balance of power away from Parliament.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming Charles I surrendered directly to the New Model Army.
Put it right: He actually surrendered to the Scottish Covenanter army at Newark in May 1646.
Assuming Parliament was united in its goals after winning the war.
Put it right by detailing the severe split between Presbyterians and Independents.
Stating that the Newcastle Propositions were a radical document.
Put it right: They were actually a conservative attempt by Presbyterians to restore order and the monarchy.
Exam tips
- Emphasise Charles I's strategy of playing the divided factions against each other to avoid making concessions.
- Detail the specific demands of the Newcastle Propositions, such as the implementation of a Presbyterian Church for three years, to show precise knowledge.
- Connect the divisions in Parliament to the growing radicalism in the Army, showing how the failure to reach a settlement exacerbated tensions.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660 – only) War and radicalism, 1642–1646 (A-level only): The end of the First Civil War: divisions amongst the Parliamentary leaders; attempts at settlement; the capture of Charles I lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Following the end of the First Civil War in 1646, which group initially held Charles I captive before he was handed over to Parliament?
Listen
The end of the First Civil War in 1646 brought instability rather than peace. Parliament fractured into factions: the Presbyterians sought a swift, compromising accommodation with the King, while the Independents demanded stricter terms and religious toleration. Attempts at settlement, notably the Newcastle Propositions of 1646, failed because Charles I stubbornly refused to concede control of the militia or accept Presbyterianism. The crisis deepened with the capture of Charles I. Initially surrendering to the Scots, he was handed over to Parliament, and subsequently seized by the New Model Army. This transformed the King into a pawn in the escalating power struggle between a divided Parliament and an increasingly politicised military. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the ideological and religious differences between the Presbyterian and Independent factions within Parliament. Analyse the terms of the Newcastle Propositions and explain why Charles I rejected them. Evaluate the strategic implications of Charles I surrendering to the Scottish army rather than Parliament. Assess how the New Model Army's seizure of the King from Holdenby House shifted the balance of power away from Parliament. A common slip: Assuming Parliament was united in its goals after winning the war. Instead, detailing the severe split between Presbyterians and Independents. Exam tip: Emphasise Charles I's strategy of playing the divided factions against each other to avoid making concessions.
Key words
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Political factionalism
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Constitutional settlement
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The role of the monarch
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Military versus civilian authority
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See every definition
- Political factionalism
- Parliament fractured into factions, with the Presbyterians seeking a swift, compromising accommodation with the King while the Independents demanded stricter terms and religious toleration.
- Constitutional settlement
- Attempts at settlement, notably the Newcastle Propositions of 1646, failed because Charles I stubbornly refused to concede control of the militia or accept Presbyterianism.
- The role of the monarch
- Charles I was transformed into a pawn in the escalating power struggle between a divided Parliament and an increasingly politicised military.
- Military versus civilian authority
- The King's seizure by the New Model Army shifted the balance of power away from Parliament.
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