Question 1

Why did Charles I and Parliament fall out?

Accepted Answer

Charles I believed in the divine right of kings and wanted to rule without Parliament. He clashed with Parliament over money (e.g., forced loans, ship money), religion (his support for Arminianism and Archbishop Laud), and his refusal to call Parliament for 11 years (the Personal Rule). When he finally called Parliament in 1640 to raise funds for war with Scotland, they demanded reforms, leading to the Grand Remonstrance and eventually civil war.

Question 2

What was the Petition of Right and why was it important?

Accepted Answer

The Petition of Right was a document presented to Charles I in 1628 by Parliament. It demanded that the king stop arbitrary imprisonment, forced loans, billeting of soldiers, and martial law in peacetime. Charles agreed to it in exchange for taxes, but later ignored it. Its importance lies in it being a formal statement of parliamentary rights and a key step in the conflict that led to the Civil War.

Question 3

Was Oliver Cromwell a hero or a villain?

Accepted Answer

Historians disagree. Cromwell was a brilliant military leader who helped Parliament win the Civil War and briefly established a republic. However, he also dissolved Parliament by force, imposed Puritan morality (e.g., banning Christmas), and brutally suppressed Catholics in Ireland. He was a dictator who ruled without consent, so he is seen as both a champion of Parliament and a tyrant.

Question 4

What changed after the Restoration of 1660?

Accepted Answer

The Restoration brought back the monarchy under Charles II, but with limits. The king could not rule without Parliament's consent on taxation, and the Triennial Act (1664) required Parliament to meet every three years. The Church of England was re-established, but religious toleration was limited. The period also saw the rise of political parties (Whigs and Tories) and the Habeas Corpus Act (1679), protecting individual liberty.

Question 5

How did the English Civil War affect ordinary people?

Accepted Answer

The war devastated communities: battles, plundering, and disease killed around 200,000 people (4% of the population). Many towns were besieged, trade disrupted, and taxes increased. Religious divisions deepened, and people were forced to choose sides. After the war, the Puritan regime imposed strict moral codes, closing theatres and banning Christmas celebrations. The war also led to political debates about rights and representation.

Question 6

What is the difference between a Cavalier and a Roundhead?

Accepted Answer

Cavaliers were supporters of King Charles I during the Civil War, often from the nobility and gentry, who wore long hair and fancy clothes. They believed in the divine right of kings and the traditional social order. Roundheads were Parliamentarians, often Puritans, who wore short hair and plain clothes. They wanted a stronger Parliament, religious reform, and limits on royal power.

Government, the rights of King and people

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