1) Charles I became King of England in 1625 after the death of his father, King James I. 2) Charles I faced opposition from the Puritan party when he became king. The Puritans were more extreme Protestants within the Church of England. 3) The English Civil War broke out as the Puritans wanted more balanced power between the King and Parliament, while Charles I believed in the divine right of kings. The war was fought between the Royalists who supported the King and the Parliamentarians who supported Parliament led by Oliver Cromwell.