2. Parliament
The first English parliament was convened in 1215, with the creation
and signing of the Magna Carta.
Nobody set out to create Parliament. It developed naturally out of
the political needs of the English King and his government. Nor did it
develop continuously over time, but went through short periods of
rapid growth.
The modern British parliament is one of the oldest continuous
representative assemblies in the world. It is a story that involves
revolt, war, invasion, several dethronings and even Henry VIII’ love
life.
3. Parliament
After the Norman conquest, Kings of England began to govern through a
smaller but permanent inner council of advisors and officials (earls and
barons) and churchmen (bishops and abbots) to gain their approval of his
decision, especially regarding taxation.
This larger group of noble advisors especially summoned was known as the
Great Council.
The Witan was the occasion when the King would call together his leading
advisors and nobles to discuss matters affecting the country.
The Witan’s main duty was to advise the king.
The word Witan comes from the Anglo Saxon phrase Meeting
of the Wise Men.
4. Parliament - Monarch
Modern parliament developed from meetings of
nobles and important people in the 1200s. Over time
the power of Parliament grew. In 1689 Parliament
passed a law that became known as the Bill of Rights.
This act gave parliament power over the monarch.
5. What was parliament supposed to do?
Over the years, traditions had developed which led to the monarch and
parliament working together to make decisions.
1215 – King John was forced to sign the
Magna Carta which established that the king
was not above the law, and that he had to
seek advice from the barons on matters such
as taxation
13th century – First Parliament was held and
it became a custom for the King to regularly
consult with the most important people in
England
14th century – Parliament met regularly
6. What was parliament supposed to do?
As time passed it became customary for the monarch to
summon Parliament when in need of money – usually to fight a
war. In return the parliament expected to have a say in running
the country – by getting the monarch to agree to laws they felt
were important to run the country
7. • Oliver Cromwell a Puritan ruled England as Lord Protector until his death in
1658
• Only period in history when England did not have a monarch
• To some he was a tyrant who unlawfully executed a king, ruled through military
might and treated his enemies with cruelty
• To others he tried to rule in the best interests of the people, championed
parliamentary power and exercised a religious toleration rare at the time
• After his death, his son Richard Cromwell ruled briefly but was not suitable.
• Charles II, son of Charles I, was back to rule by the army.
• His return was marked by celebrations
throughout England
Oliver Cromwell
8. • Cromwell was an MP.
• Became well known during the English Civil War as a commander.
• He believed that every victory for Parliament was because God
wanted their side to win against the King.
• He wasn’t particularly keen on the Magna Carta approved by King
John and called it ‘Magna Farta’.
• Cromwell signed the order for the execution of Charles I.
• After four years of disagreement over how the different forms of
parliament would rule the country, Cromwell was declared the
head of state, known as Lord Protector.
• Even though some people wanted to crown Cromwell as the new
monarch he refused on principle. Although he lived like a King in
many ways, he wanted to separate the old ruling system from the
new
Oliver Cromwell
9. Deeply religious Protestants who felt that the religious changes had
not gone far enough. They believed that the Church of England was
still being too Catholic
Puritan views
• People could have a private relationship with God, without the
need for priests
• Priests role is limited to conducting sermons and reading scriptures
• Decorations such as stained glass and rituals in church were a
distraction
• Churches should be plain looking
• People should avoid alcohol, rich food and other worldly things
Rise of the Puritans
10. Religion
• Religion at the center of everyone's lives
• With Henry VIII’s break from Rome in 1530s the Church
of England was born, with the monarch now acting as
man’s access to God. The monarch was the only person
who could talk directly to God and with the assistance of
royally appointed bishops and archbishops controlled
the church.
• However pious, educated people questioned the
religious hierarchy and as a result many religious factions
grew.
• Religion was intrinsic to everything, and different
factions heavily influenced the politics of the Civil War
and its aftermath.
11. Religion
Protestantism
• Church of England – Anglicans - similar in many ways to
Catholicism, focusing on the Eucharist and using religious
icons or images to aid worship. Difference - Catholics
believed the pope was the head of the church, Anglicans
believed the monarch was the head of the church
• Puritans - believed in piety and sobriety. Wanted to
return the church to its early purity and create a Godly
nation. It was Puritans who had the greatest influence
during this period- dominating Parliament, and the army.
• Others – Presbyterians, Independents, Quakers, Ranters,
The Fifth Monarchy Men.
12. 1.1e How do you punish a king?
Historical background
• Charles was captured in 1648 and the parliamentarians tried to negotiate with him. To make him rule
with reduced powers.
• However he tried to escape repeatedly, once even getting stuck in a window.
• Parliament reluctantly decided to put Charles on trial.
• Why – a)the king’s failure to negotiate a settlement, b) his untrustworthiness in having escaped from
custody in 1646 and c) his conduct during the Civil War.
• Many including Charles himself refused to recognise that parliament had the right to place the king on
trial.
• Charles refused to defend himself at the trial claiming it was an illegal trial, since as king by divine right
there was no authority on earth with the power to sit in judgement over him.
• Charles was executed in January 1649. Many were deeply shocked and Charles quickly became revered
by many as a martyr king.
Starter – List possible ways to punish Charles
Imprison him permanently; execute him; exile him; replace him as king with his
young son, Charles.
13. How do you
punish a King?
January 1649 Parliament
won the war and took
Charles prisoner
Read the speech bubbles to
decide arguments and
against Charles and decide
how Charles should be
punished.
14. Charles I’s trial
• The trial began on 20th January 1649 and he was accused of High Treason
against the country.
• Charles repeatedly interrupted the trial saying it was illegal as Parliament
had no power over him as he was only answerable to God.
• He refused to plead guilty or innocent so was removed from court and
barred from taking part in the rest of the trial.
• On 27th January Charles was brought back to court and sentenced to death
for High Treason against the nation.
• He was forbidden to say anything and removed from court to await his
execution
15.
16. Execution of Charles – 30th January
• It was so cold that Charles wore 2 shirts as he didn’t want people to think he was
shivering with fear.
• He faced the crowd and gave his final speech.
• He then lay down and placed his head the block and stretched his arms in the shape
of a cross.
• The executioner brought down his axe and severed the head of the King with one
blow.
• He head was then held up for the crowd to see.
• Some say that there was a low groan from the crowd.
• The King was dead and parliament passed a law to stop any succession to the throne.
• For the next 11 years and for the first and only time in history – England was a
republican
17. Execution of Charles – Last words
“I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown, where no disturbance can be, no
disturbance in the world.”
“Remember!” (he said this after giving Dr. Juxon his St. George medal)
The last words said to anyone by King Charles I were said to the executioner:
“Stay for the sign?” (He did not want to be executed before he said his prayers.
When he was ready he was to stretch his arms out, that was the “sign”).
19. 1.1c King or Parliament
Historical background
• Civil War broke out in 1642 and lasted until 1648. (6 years)
• Ordinary people forced to decide whether to support king or parliament.
• Families were sometimes divided.
• Decision could be for political or religious reasons or based on where they
lived and what side their bosses were on.
• Both sides used propaganda to vilify the enemy to encourage recruits.
20.
21. King or Parliament
Issue For King For Parliament
Religion Protestant/Anglican
Catholic
Protestant/Strict
Protestant/Puritan
Geography North & West England
Oxford
York
Wales
Ireland
Highlands of Scotland
South and East of
England.
London / Coastal
Towns/Central and
Southern Scotland
Wealth/Job Wealthy landowners
Some merchants
Some landowners
Most merchants
Personal political
Opinion
Believed in the divine
right of kings
Believed Parliament
should have no power.
22. Propaganda is a message that is designed to
persuade you to believe someone’s point of
view. It always has a biased message and is
often aimed at discrediting a person, a group
or a place.
It can be a message in a poster, advert, article
or speech. Usually the message is sent out
numerous times and in different forms so that
it becomes more believable. It uses mass
media such as the TV, radio, newspapers and
social media to help send the message out to
as many people as possible. Using the media
also helps make the message much more
believable than just what someone has said.
What is Propaganda?
23. Propaganda is a very powerful tool
and can be considered a form of
brainwashing. Because it is so
powerful, politicians around the
world use it everyday to persuade
you to believe the message they
are sending out. Propaganda often
uses shocking pictures and video
footage to convince you of what
they are saying.
How Is Propaganda Used?
24. Propaganda
Look at sources a-c, which all show Royalists
soldiers.
a. What are the soldiers ding and what
impression do you get of these troops.
b. How do you think these pictures might have
affected people who were still deciding which
side to support?
26. Compare the sources
4. Read sources d and e about the attack on Cirencester.
a. Do they agree or disagree about what happened? Use a table like the one
below to record what you find out.
b. How can you explain the difference between the sources? Think carefully
about the origin of each one (who wrote it), and the purpose (why it
was written). What does this tell you about the sources?
c. Why might sources d and e present different interpretations of what
happened at Cirencester? Remember to look at the origin of the sources.
How might each side have used these sources to convince people to
support them?
Similarities between sources Differences between sources
