The civil war that occurred from 1642 to 1649 in England was unique in that it pitted a monarch and his representative assembly against one another for the first time ever. (http://www.britannica.com) Even more shockingly, the English Civil War terminated in the first ever trial and execution of a sitting monarch. The English Civil War was a highly complex conflict, one which cannot be pinned on a single cause alone. It was caused by a combination of long term and short-term factors. Some of these causes were political, other were more economic and religious. One of the major influences of the outbreak of the civil war was religion. The religious quarrels began right at the start of Charles’ reign, when he married Henrietta Maria, a French Catholic. (http://www.britannica.com) This was looked down upon by much of the public, especially the Puritans. The church also underwent many changes, most of which were the spitting image of Catholicism. (http://www.bbc.co.uk) Another factor in the outbreak of the civil war was foreign affairs. With the thirty years war going on and catholic rulers attempting to wipe out the protestants in their country, people fears in England were
The civil war that occurred from 1642 to 1649 in England was unique in that it pitted a monarch and his representative assembly against one another for the first time ever. (http://www.britannica.com) Even more shockingly, the English Civil War terminated in the first ever trial and execution of a sitting monarch. The English Civil War was a highly complex conflict, one which cannot be pinned on a single cause alone. It was caused by a combination of long term and short-term factors. Some of these causes were political, other were more economic and religious. One of the major influences of the outbreak of the civil war was religion. The religious quarrels began right at the start of Charles’ reign, when he married Henrietta Maria, a French Catholic. (http://www.britannica.com) This was looked down upon by much of the public, especially the Puritans. The church also underwent many changes, most of which were the spitting image of Catholicism. (http://www.bbc.co.uk) Another factor in the outbreak of the civil war was foreign affairs. With the thirty years war going on and catholic rulers attempting to wipe out the protestants in their country, people fears in England were