The problem of Charles I: divisions within the army and Parliament; the…

The idea

Following the Second Civil War, Charles I presented an intractable problem: he refused to compromise, believing in his divine right, while his opponents remained deeply divided. Parliament, dominated by Presbyterians, sought a negotiated settlement through the Treaty of Newport. Conversely, the radicalised New Model Army, influenced by Leveller ideas and viewing Charles as a 'man of blood', demanded justice. This division culminated in Pride's Purge (December 1648), where the army forcibly removed moderate MPs, creating the Rump Parliament. This purged body established a High Court of Justice to try the King for treason. Charles refused to recognise the court's legitimacy, leading to his conviction and unprecedented public execution on 30 January 1649, fundamentally fracturing the Political Nation.

What earns the marks

• Analyse the 'problem of Charles I', focusing on his intransigence, his belief in Divine Right, and his willingness to exploit divisions among his enemies.
• Examine the ideological and political divisions between the Presbyterian-dominated Parliament seeking a treaty, and the radicalised New Model Army demanding retribution.
• Explain the significance of Pride's Purge in breaking the political deadlock and enabling the army to force through the King's trial via the Rump Parliament.
• Assess the legal and political unprecedented nature of the trial, including Charles's refusal to plead and the ideological justification used for his execution.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Stating that Parliament as a whole wanted to execute the King.

  Put it right: Clarify that the majority of MPs wanted a settlement, and it required a military coup (Pride's Purge) to enable the trial.

• Claiming Charles I mounted a vigorous legal defence.

  Put it right: Note that Charles refused to recognise the court's authority and therefore refused to enter a plea.

• Assuming the army was entirely unified in wanting execution from the start.

  Put it right: Explain that the army's stance radicalised over time, particularly after the Second Civil War convinced them Charles was defying God's will.

Exam tips

• Use the phrase 'man of blood' to illustrate the religious and providential mindset of the New Model Army following the Second Civil War.
• Contrast the aims of the Treaty of Newport with the Remonstrance of the Army to clearly demonstrate the division between Parliament and the military.
• When evaluating the trial, discuss the constitutional crisis it created, as trying a divinely appointed monarch for treason against his own people was legally unprecedented.