In 1642, King Charles I of England sent troops into the House of Commons to arrest five members of Parliament. This action sparked the English Civil War, a conflict that lasted until 1651 and resulted in the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England.
Background
In the early 17th century, England was a constitutional monarchy, with the king sharing power with Parliament. However, there was tension between the two branches of government, as the king wanted more power and Parliament wanted to limit his authority.
In 1640, Parliament passed a series of laws that limited the king's power, including the Triennial Act, which required Parliament to meet at least once every three years, and the Habeas Corpus Act, which protected individuals from illegal detention.
Charles I refused to accept these laws and attempted to rule without Parliament. In 1642, he sent troops into the House of Commons to arrest five members of Parliament who were critical of his rule.
The English Civil War
The Parliamentarians, led by Oliver Cromwell, defeated the Royalists, led by King Charles I, in the First English Civil War (1642-1646). Charles I was captured and executed in 1649, and the Commonwealth of England was established.
The Commonwealth was a republican government, with Cromwell as Lord Protector. However, Cromwell died in 1658, and the Commonwealth collapsed. In 1660, the monarchy was restored and Charles II became king.
Consequences
The English Civil War had a profound impact on England. It led to the execution of the king, the establishment of a republic, and the Restoration of the monarchy. The war also resulted in the development of new political ideas, such as the concept of individual rights and the separation of church and state.