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The disintegration of the political nation, 1646-49 - Coggle Diagram
The disintegration of the political nation, 1646-49
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Divisions in Parliament
Presbyterian beliefs
- Abolish episcopacy and replace it with a presbyterian system.
- Still a national church but hierarchy of Bishops replaced with an assembly.
- Favoured a negotiated settlement with Charles and prompt disbanding of NMA.
Chief spokesman was Denzil Holles, who was involved in the writing of the Newcastle Propositions.
Independent Beliefs
- Believed that Christian congregation should autonomous instead of a single national church.
- Wanted to force a settlement on the King rather than continue with protracted negotiations.
Minority in Parliament but had a number of powerful supporters, such as Cromwell.
The extent of divisions, 1646,47Charles delayed response to the Newcastle propositions made the position of the Presbyterians weaker. The balance of power shifted.
- Seats in the House of commons that had been vacant were filled by 'recruiter elections'.
- Many of these were won by Independents and included radicals like Major General Thomas Harrison.
- The Presbyterians were boosted when Charles was transferred to their custody in January 1647.
- Presbyterians hatched a campaign against the NMA, which they believed to be the seedbed for religious extremism.
- In December 1647, a petition from the City of London demanded the army be disbanded for being too radical.
- Independents in Parliament had close links to the NMA. Presbyterians planned to disband the army with only eight weeks of arrears of pay (they were owed £3 million) and send 12,000 of them to Ireland.
- In March 1647, HC voted for only Presbyterians and non-MPs should serve as officers. The army, backed by the Independents, refused on 29 May.
- Since Pym's death, a 'middle group' by Oliver St John emerged.
- They favoured a negotiated settlement like the Presbyterians but were no longer prepared to deal with Charles's inflexible demands. Followed independents from mid-1647.
- Both factions in agreement over the threat of Levellers
- In early 1647, the Levellers became increasingly active in London. They issued a petition in March stating the nation was still oppressed and their grievances had not changed.
- Complained specifically about the way Presbyterian clergy were expelling non-conformists in the same way the Bishops had in the 1630s.
- HC with significant backing from the Independents ordered the petition to be burnt.
The role of the army
Agitators
- Many soldiers were uncomfortable with the direction of the peace settlement in 1646 and 1647.
- They were aware that the Presbyterians intended to send some soldiers to Ireland and disband the rest, and they still owed significant arrears.
- As they played such a key role in defeating the royalists they believed they should have a say in the peace settlement.
- In April 1647, they elected their own political spokesman, known as agitators.
The army revolt, June 16474th June 1647 - Junior Officer Cornet Joyce, effectively kidnapped the King from the Presbyterians.FOLLOWING CHAIN OF EVENTS:
- Taken to join the army at Newmarket, from where he was transferred to his old royal palace at Hampton court.
- The next day, leading officers (including Cromwell) signed an Engagement to stand with the Army.
- A General council of the Army set up, consisting of both officers and Agitators. Council met to discuss grievances against presbyterian MPs.
- In Mid-June, the Representation of the Army was signed, written y Henry Ireton - demanded the expulsion of 11 Presbyterian MPs and fresh elections for a wider electectorate.
- 11 named MPs fled London but returned when protestors loyal to Presbyterians stormed Parliament. Fairfax was ordered to remain 30 miles from London.
- 58 Independant MPs sought refuge with the army and Fairfax led his army into London on 4 August.
- The army deliberately marched through London in a show of strength and Fairfax was appointed Constable of the Tower of London. 6 of 11 Presbyterian MPs fled abroad and impeachment proceedings began against some of the others.
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