English Civil War

1642-48 Armed conflict between the forces of the English Parliament and those of King Charles I caused by a complex of political, economic, religious and social problems. The policies of both Charles I and his predecessor James I brought an ongoing struggle for power between parliament and the king to a head. Attempts to impose religious uniformity also aroused Puritans and Independents against the government. In general, Charles I was supported by older aristocratic families, Catholics and by people living in the north and west; the parliamentary stronghold lay above all in the south and south-east. However, a considerable part of the population in particular among the lower classes remained neutral in the conflict. During the First Civil War (1642-46) and Second Civil War (1648-49) Oliver Cromwell emerged as the leading figure of the parliamentary army. King Charles I was beheaded on January 30^th, 1649, and Cromwell became the leader of the Commonwealth and the Protectorate government. The monarchy was re-established in 1660.