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English Civil War - War of the Three Kingdoms DOCUMENTARY

Kings and Generals・145 minutes read

The English Civil War was a pivotal conflict marked by battles, religious tensions, and political struggles, ultimately leading to the defeat and execution of Charles I by the Parliamentarians under Oliver Cromwell's leadership. Cromwell's authoritarian rule as Lord Protector following Charles's death faced challenges, culminating in the restoration of the Royal House of Stuart in 1660 after his son Richard's brief tenure.

Insights

The English Civil War, also known as the War of the Three Kingdoms, was a pivotal conflict in British history during the 17th century, marked by intense battles, religious strife, and political problems that divided the nation.
King Charles I Stuart clashed with Parliament over power and taxation, leading to a nation divided, with religious tensions exacerbated by his marriage to Henrietta Maria, a Catholic.
Parliament gained significant power by the mid-1600s, making it hard for English monarchs to operate without their approval, leading to tensions that escalated due to religious, political, and social factors.
Charles I's attempts to raise money through controversial means, including forced loans and monopolies, caused anger and resentment, eventually leading to the dissolution of Parliament in 1629 and further tensions.
The outbreak of the English Civil War was preceded by escalating conflicts, including the Bishops' Wars and failed attempts to arrest MPs, with both sides preparing for conflict by raising armies, ultimately leading to the war.
Key battles like Edgehill, Marston Moor, Naseby, and Worcester were pivotal moments in the war, with strategic maneuvers, cavalry engagements, and infantry clashes shaping the outcome of the conflict.
The aftermath of the Civil War saw Charles I's execution, the establishment of the Commonwealth of England, Cromwell's military triumphs in Ireland and Scotland, and his transformation into an authoritarian figure as Lord Protector, culminating in his eventual downfall and the restoration of the Royal House of Stuart in 1660.

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Recent questions

What was the English Civil War?
A pivotal 17th-century conflict in British history.
Who was King Charles I?
The monarch who faced opposition from Parliament.
What were the causes of the English Civil War?
Religious, political, and social tensions between Parliament and the monarchy.
How did the English Civil War end?
With the defeat of King Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England.
What were the consequences of the English Civil War?
The establishment of the Commonwealth of England and the end of the Stuart monarchy.

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Summary

00:00

English Civil War: Nation Divided, Monarchy Struggles

The English Civil War, also known as the War of the Three Kingdoms, was a pivotal conflict in British history during the 17th century.
The conflict was marked by intense battles, religious strife, and political problems that divided the nation.
King Charles I Stuart clashed with Parliament over power and taxation, leading to a nation divided.
The Stuart dynasty came to power in England in 1603 when James VI of Scotland became James I of England.
Charles I inherited his father's belief in divine right and faced opposition from influential factions in Parliament.
Parliament gained significant power by the mid-1600s, making it hard for English monarchs to operate without their approval.
Charles I's marriage to Henrietta Maria, a Catholic, worsened religious tensions in England.
The tension between Parliament and the monarchy escalated due to religious, political, and social factors.
Charles I's attempts to raise money through various means, including forced loans, caused anger and resentment.
The Petition of Right in 1628 set out specific liberties that Charles I could not infringe upon, leading to further tensions and eventual dissolution of Parliament in 1629.

14:59

Royal Funds: Creative Measures, Trade Restrictions, Civil War

Creative measures were used to raise royal funds and bypass Westminster, viewed as cash grabs by parliament.
Monopolies over products or industries were sold, raising £30,000 yearly but angering many due to trade restrictions and price increases.
Charles reintroduced obsolete medieval laws in unique ways, reviving fines to generate revenue.
'Ship money' was a controversial fundraising measure, extended to inland areas by Charles, leading to resistance.
The First Bishops’ War of 1639 was inconclusive, leading to the Pacification of Berwick.
The Second Bishops’ War of 1640 was a disaster for Charles, resulting in a Scottish victory on English soil.
The Treaty of Ripon required Charles to pay the Scots £850 daily, straining his finances.
The 'Long Parliament' was established in 1640, united against the king, leading to radical actions against royal authority.
A Catholic revolt in Ireland in 1641 intensified tensions, leading to Charles' failed attempt to arrest MPs and the march towards civil war.
Both sides prepared for conflict, with parliament issuing the Militia Ordinance and Charles the Commission of Array, eventually leading to the raising of armies and the outbreak of the English Civil War.

30:17

Battle of Edgehill: Royalists vs Parliamentarians

Essex’s army arrived at Kineton while Charles stayed at Sir William Chancie’s home.
Prince Rupert captured a quartermaster’s party from Essex’s army near Wormleighton.
Scouts confirmed the parliamentary army’s presence at Kineton by midnight.
Charles received information about Essex’s proximity by 3am on October 23rd.
Exhausted officers began issuing orders for a general rendezvous near Edgehill.
Charles’s royalist army was positioned between Essex and London, but they decided to confront the roundhead army near Edgehill.
The armies faced off near Edgehill on October 23rd, with Charles’s royalists forming two lines of battle.
Infantry brigades led by various commanders formed the royalist army’s first line.
Essex’s infantry was organized into three large brigades opposite the royalists.
The first major battle of the English Civil War began with an artillery duel at 2PM, leading to a stalemate by nightfall.

45:00

Royalist Garrison Abandons Town to Roundheads

The Royalist garrison of 3-4,000 men abandoned the town to the Roundheads upon seeing Sir Thomas’ large host approaching.
Newcastle planned to send a large horse contingent to intercept Lord Fairfax’s march but feared Lord Fairfax was moving against him at York.
Newcastle deployed his army in an order of battle on Clifton Moor due to intelligence reports.
Sir Thomas destroyed enemy earthworks in Tadcaster, causing delay, while Royalists advanced on his position.
Sir Thomas’ force was slightly larger than Goring’s, but he had fewer horsemen.
Sir Thomas faced a challenge withdrawing from numerically superior Royalist horsemen across open ground.
The Roundheads marched onto Bramham Moor with Royalist horse in pursuit.
Sir Thomas divided his foot companies into two divisions to protect their rear with horse troops.
The Royalists shadowed the Roundheads’ withdrawal, maintaining distance.
Sir Thomas’ forces were defeated at the Battle of Seacroft Moor, resulting in over 800 prisoners and 100-200 men killed.

58:40

Royalists Victorious in West, Bristol Surrenders

Pikemen advanced to the top of the escarpment, facing heavy fire as they reached the hill.
Sir Arthur Heselrige’s Regiment of Horse charged the Cornishmen multiple times, with Grenville being killed.
Waller retreated his men behind a stone wall, forcing the Royalists to overcome a second defensive line.
The battle turned into a stalemate as the Royalists couldn't break through the second line.
Waller decided to withdraw his army towards Bath, with the Royalists too fatigued to pursue.
The Royalists won a tactical victory at Lansdowne, but Waller considered it a strategic win.
Charles' armies concluded affairs in the west at the Battle of Roundway Down, crushing the Western Association Army.
Prince Rupert reinforced Hopton's army after the victory, aiming for Gloucester but redirected to Bristol.
Rupert led an assault on Bristol, facing resistance from the Parliamentarians.
Bristol surrendered to the Royalists, leading to a significant victory but with high casualties and broken surrender terms.

01:13:01

Battle of Newbury: Royalists vs Parliamentarians

Cavalier army consisted of 7,000 infantry and 7,500 cavalry, leaving Newbury after parliamentarians.
Prince Rupert with 900 musketeers tried to take Round Hill but faced 2,500 parliamentarian soldiers.
Rupert left infantry under Colonel George Lisle and returned to Newbury due to strong defense.
Royalists organized a war council to decide objectives and deployment.
Charles I's army deployed in three main sections on a north-south Axis.
Troops under William Vavasour stationed on the right wing in Kennet river valley.
Sir Nicholas and John Byron attacked Round Hill in the center.
Prince Rupert and royalist cavalry positioned on Wash Common on the left.
Parliamentarians repelled royalist cavalry on Wash Common with disciplined volley fire.
After a 14-hour stalemate, both armies disengaged, with 1,300 troops lost on each side.

01:27:29

Marston Moor: Parliament's Victory in Civil War

On July 1st, royalist horsemen were spotted advancing up the Knaresborough Road, believed to be Rupert’s vanguard, leading to the parliamentarians and Scots preparing for battle.
Rupert’s vanguard was a deception, as the majority of his army moved north to Galtres Forest, scattering enemy dragoons at Nether Poppleton and securing a boat bridge.
Parliament’s combined army began marching south to Tadcaster, while royalist cavalry under Lord George Goring returned to York, relieving the city without conflict.
Prince Rupert, following orders to relieve York and defeat parliament’s army, gathered his forces and challenged the enemy to a pitched battle at Marston Moor on July 2nd, 1644.
The parliamentarian army, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, positioned themselves on a high ridge, while Rupert’s royalists occupied a lower moorland section.
The battlefield saw intense cavalry engagements, with Cromwell leading successful charges against royalist horsemen, eventually tipping the scales in favor of the parliamentarians.
Despite initial successes, the parliamentarians faced challenges as the battle progressed, with the Scottish infantry struggling and Goring’s cavalry causing significant damage.
Cromwell’s strategic maneuvers, including a decisive charge against the royalist infantry, led to the defeat of Prince Rupert’s forces, with heavy losses on the royalist side.
The battle concluded with the parliamentarians emerging victorious, inflicting significant casualties on the royalists, including the routing of Prince Rupert and the Earl of Newcastle.
The defeat at Marston Moor marked a turning point in the civil war, with the parliamentarians gaining control of the north, while Charles I faced setbacks in the south against Waller and Essex.

01:41:22

Royalists Trap Essex's Army at Lostwithiel

Waller’s army couldn’t support Essex after defeat at Cropredy Bridge
Charles set up headquarters at Boconnoc near Lostwithiel on August 17th
Charles scouted Parliamentary positions from Bodinnick Ferry on August 17th
Royalists attacked Parliamentarian positions at Beacon Hill on August 21st at 7:00 AM
Royalists took Restormel Castle and Beacon and Druid hills
Prince Maurice’s forces captured a prominent hill across the Liskeard Road
Royalists constructed a redoubt on Beacon Hill and fired on Lostwithiel
Royalists believed Essex had withdrawn towards Fowey Town
Royalists trapped Essex’s army between Lostwithiel and Fowey
Royalists received supplies from Dartmouth while Essex’s army starved
Grenville informed Charles of Essex’s breakout plan on August 30th
Balfour’s cavalry broke out of Lostwithiel on August 31st
Parliamentarian foot and cannon marched out of Lostwithiel on September 2nd
Royalists formed up for battle at Newbury on October 26th
Parliamentarians attacked Royalists at Shaw House and Speen Village on October 27th
New Model Army established on January 11th, 1645, under Sir Thomas Fairfax

01:54:45

Parliamentary Strategy and Military Campaigns in 1645

Members of parliament were prohibited from holding commands, leading to the end of military careers for the Earls of Manchester and Essex.
The New Model Army, while growing formidable, required time to fill its ranks and become effective.
A measured parliamentary offensive strategy was adopted in early 1645 due to the army's need for preparation.
The cooperation of Leven’s Scots was crucial, but the Covenanters grew wary of supporting the English due to fears of radicals like Cromwell.
In September 1643, an agreement in Ireland freed up royalist soldiers to assist the king and allowed the Irish Confederates to renew their war against the Scots and parliamentarians.
Irish mercenaries under MacColla landed in Scotland, rallying highland chiefs against the Covenanters.
Montrose, defecting from the Covenanters, joined forces with MacColla, forming an army of Celtic allies and royalists.
Montrose and MacColla defeated Covenanter armies, impacting the strategic situation of the war.
Montrose's successes diverted Covenanter priorities, leading to a disjointed royalist campaign in the south.
Fairfax and Cromwell led the New Model Army in campaigns against royalist forces, culminating in the pivotal Battle of Naseby in June 1645.

02:09:11

Decisive Battle: Parliamentarians Defeat Royalists at Naseby

Maurice’s horse was ordered to advance immediately after realizing they couldn't withstand the harassment.
Royalist cavalry regrouped before launching a charge, met by Henry Ireton’s horse at Sulby Hill.
Vermuyden and Ireton’s units were effective, routing three cavalry divisions and turning on the royalist center.
Rupert’s units swept parliamentarian horse off the field and defeated Ireton’s forces.
Charles’ infantry vanguard marched forward, engaging in brutal close combat.
Cromwell’s cavalry engaged Langdale’s northern horse, pushing them back through rough terrain.
Cromwell’s second line routed the royalist reserve lifeguard, leading to their defeat.
Cromwell commanded a final cavalry charge into Charles’ struggling infantry, leading to their collapse.
Fairfax led an attack on Prince Rupert’s Bluecoats, resulting in their surrender.
Charles was eventually captured by the Scots and sold to the English parliament, leading to the end of the First Civil War.

02:23:43

Putney Debates to Commonwealth: English Civil War

Fairfax initiated the Putney Debates to prevent disruption in the New Model Army.
Cromwell's rejection of constitutional change led to the king's fear and escape to Carisbrooke Castle.
Charles I signed the 'Engagement' with the Scots in December 1647.
The Engagers accused the English parliament of breaking the Solemn League and Covenant.
Revolts in Wales and the north of England were quelled by Cromwell and Lambert.
A revolt in Kent led to the siege of Colchester on June 12th.
A Scottish army under the Duke of Hamilton crossed into Northern England on July 8th.
Cromwell's army defeated Hamilton's forces at Preston in August.
Cromwell's forces harassed the retreating Scots until their surrender on August 20th.
Charles I was executed on January 30th, 1649, leading to the establishment of the Commonwealth of England.

02:38:14

Cromwell's Siege of Drogheda: Royalist Massacre

Drogheda, a city on the road from Dublin to Belfast, had medieval walls and was divided by the Boyne river with a drawbridge.
Ormond and Sir Arthur Aston did not expect Cromwell to target Drogheda, leading to a lack of preparation.
Cromwell's army arrived on September 2nd, with cannons arriving on the 5th to target the city's walls.
The plan was to breach the walls, capture the gate and drawbridge, leading to demands for surrender which were rejected.
After a two-day bombardment, Cromwell's army breached the walls on the 11th.
Despite resistance, Cromwell's forces overpowered the defenders, leading to the surrender of Aston and his men.
Cromwell's soldiers massacred the captured royalists, with debate over his motives.
Cromwell continued campaigns in Ireland, capturing Wexford and stymying support for Charles II.
Cromwell left Ireland for England due to a new emergency involving Charles II and Scotland.
Cromwell was appointed Lord General for an invasion of Scotland, facing challenges from the Covenanter army led by David Leslie.

02:52:39

English forces defeat Scots at Worcester, 1651.

Lumsden's greenhorns held long enough for reinforcements under Campbell of Lawer to charge and smash Monck's brigade in sword-point fighting, shoring up the line.
Lambert's cavalry regrouped as Colonel Strachan's Scots troopers surged forward, throwing Lambert back across the Broxburn before being pinned down in a head-on fight.
Cromwell's mounted guard swung around near the coast, breaking the cavalry units on Leslie's seaward wing, leading to a retreat with no pursuit due to the Ironsides' discipline.
The unengaged brigades of Leslie's infantry were caught off guard when the New Model infantry pivoted and began rolling up their line against the Doon Hill.
Cromwell and Lambert destroyed Campbell of Lawers' unit, forcing the Scots to run, with up to 6,000 soldiers captured and Edinburgh capitulating to English forces on September 7th.
Cromwell lured Charles into invading England from the north, leaving Monck in Scotland and marching south with his army, reaching the River Tyne on August 19th.
County militias formed across Northern and Central England to block Royalist activities, demoralizing Charles and forcing him to move west into Loyalist territories along the Welsh border.
Charles arrived at Worcester on August 22nd, strengthening defenses and recruiting few men, preparing to face Cromwell's larger army.
Cromwell's army trapped the Royalists in Worcester, leading to the Battle of Worcester on September 3rd, where Charles attempted a spirited counter-charge but was ultimately defeated.
Despite Charles' efforts, the Scots at Fort Royal refused to surrender, leading to 1,500 deaths as the Puritans cut them down to the last man, with Charles unable to rally his men and facing defeat.

03:06:33

Cromwell's Rise to Power and Rule

The Royalist army was decimated in Worcester, with 2,000 defenders killed and 6-10,000 captured, including Scottish commanders.
English captives were conscripted into the New Model Army, while Scots were sent to work on English plantations in New England, Bermuda, and the West Indies.
Charles managed to escape the battle and fled to Normandy, living in exile for nine years.
The Scottish cause suffered a mortal blow after the defeat at Dunbar, leading to the absorption of the Kingdom into the Commonwealth of England by 1652.
Cromwell's army's brutality in Ireland led to a catastrophic toll, with 20-40% of Ireland's population killed by warfare, famine, and disease.
Irish captives were reduced to indentured servitude and shipped overseas, while Cromwell instituted discriminatory policies against Catholics in Ireland.
Cromwell's regime controlled all three Kingdoms, but faced a war with the Dutch Republic due to trading disputes.
Cromwell's military triumphs gained international legitimacy for the English Republic, but domestic issues plagued the Rump Parliament.
Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament in 1653 and established the Nominated Parliament, which failed due to ideological differences and infighting.
Cromwell became Lord Protector in 1653 under the Instrument of Government, establishing a three-tier government with checks and balances, but faced opposition from the First Protectorate Parliament and resorted to authoritarian measures.

03:21:01

Cromwell's Rise and Fall: A Revolution's End

Oliver Cromwell, once a revolutionary leader, transformed into an authoritarian figure, leading to dissent among his supporters and defiance from Parliament by 1657.
Cromwell's declining health and the death of his daughter in 1658 marked the beginning of his downfall, culminating in his death from sepsis in September of that year. His son, Richard Cromwell, briefly succeeded him as Lord Protector before being deposed, leading to the restoration of the Royal House of Stuart in 1660.

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