The Stuarts, Civil War and Glorious Revolution
Elizabeth I died in 1603 without children. Her cousin James VI of Scotland became James I of England, Wales and Ireland. Scotland remained a separate country. During his reign the King James Bible (the Authorised Version) was produced.
In Ireland, land was confiscated and Protestant settlers from Scotland and England were given land, especially in Ulster. These settlements were called plantations.
Charles I believed in the “Divine Right of Kings” and tried to rule without Parliament. In 1642 civil war began between Parliament’s supporters (Roundheads) and the king’s supporters (Cavaliers). Parliament won the battles of Marston Moor (1644) and Naseby (1645). Charles I was executed in 1649.
England became a republic called the Commonwealth. Oliver Cromwell was given the title Lord Protector. After his death in 1658, Parliament invited Charles II back in 1660 — the Restoration.
In Charles II’s reign there was a great plague in London (1665) and the Great Fire of London (1666). Sir Christopher Wren designed the new St Paul’s Cathedral. The Habeas Corpus Act (1679) meant no one could be held unlawfully. The Royal Society was formed to promote natural knowledge; Sir Isaac Newton was an early member.
James II was a Catholic. In 1688 Protestant leaders invited William of Orange (the Dutch husband of James’s daughter Mary) to invade. James fled. This is called the Glorious Revolution. William defeated James at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in 1690.
The Bill of Rights (1689) confirmed the rights of Parliament and the limits of the king’s power. It was the beginning of constitutional monarchy. A Catholic cannot be monarch.
Key facts
- 1603 — James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England (union of the crowns).
- 1642 — Civil war begins: Cavaliers (king) vs Roundheads (Parliament).
- 1649 — Charles I executed; the Commonwealth.
- 1660 — Restoration of Charles II.
- 1665 — Great Plague; 1666 — Great Fire of London.
- 1679 — Habeas Corpus Act.
- 1688 — Glorious Revolution; 1689 — Bill of Rights; 1690 — Battle of the Boyne.
Important dates
| 1603 | Union of the crowns under James I |
| 1642 | English Civil War begins |
| 1649 | Execution of Charles I |
| 1660 | Restoration of the monarchy |
| 1666 | Great Fire of London |
| 1688 | Glorious Revolution |
| 1689 | Bill of Rights |
Important people
- Oliver Cromwell: Parliament’s military leader; Lord Protector during the Commonwealth.
- Charles II: Restored to the throne in 1660.
- Sir Christopher Wren: Architect of the new St Paul’s Cathedral after the Great Fire.
- Samuel Pepys: Wrote a diary describing the Great Fire.
- Sir Isaac Newton: Scientist; early member of the Royal Society; described gravity.
- William III: William of Orange, who ruled jointly with Mary II after 1688.
Memory tips
- Cavaliers rode for the King; Roundheads (short hair) fought for Parliament.
- “Plague ’65, Fire ’66.”
- Habeas Corpus is Latin for “you must present the person in court”.
Practice questions
1. In which year was the Great Fire of London?
- 1605
- 1665
- 1666
- 1688
Show answer
The Great Fire of London was in 1666. The Great Plague was the year before, in 1665.
2. Who became King of England after Elizabeth I died in 1603?
- Charles I
- James VI of Scotland (James I of England)
- William of Orange
- Oliver Cromwell
Show answer
Elizabeth had no children, so her cousin James VI of Scotland became James I of England, Wales and Ireland.
3. What were the supporters of the king called in the English Civil War?
- Roundheads
- Cavaliers
- Jacobites
- Whigs
Show answer
The king’s supporters were Cavaliers. Parliament’s supporters were Roundheads.
4. In which year did the English Civil War begin?
- 1603
- 1642
- 1660
- 1688
Show answer
Civil war between the king and Parliament began in 1642.
5. What happened to Charles I in 1649?
- He was restored to the throne
- He was executed
- He fled to France
- He signed the Bill of Rights
Show answer
Charles I was executed in 1649 and England became a republic called the Commonwealth.
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