Wrong but Wromantic/Right but Repulsive - Part 1 Quiz

Answer: Entered the House of Commons

On 4 January 1642, the day after his directive to Parliament, the King entered the House of Commons himself to arrest the errant MPs, becoming the first reigning monarch to set foot in the chamber. However, the accused MPs had been made aware of the King's planned action and had fled before his arrival. Charles' action caused significant anger within both Parliament and the wider community, and led to his having to flee London.

Answer: Nottingham

Charles raised his standard on the grounds outside Nottingham Castle on 22 August 1642. However, the following day there was a storm that blew the standard down, something that was perceived as a bad omen for what was to come. Although Charles chose Nottingham to begin his campaign, just after he left the city fell to Parliament's forces and remained in their control for the rest of the war.

Answer: William Harvey, royal physician

Doctor William Harvey had achieved renowned status through his work in biological discovery, primarily on the circulation of blood, and was a close attendant of the King. While the young princes were eager to fight, Harvey, charged with their safekeeping during the battle, attempted to keep them occupied by reading to them as the guns were fired around them.

Answer: Reform of the Church of England

The Westminster Assembly was called with the function of restructuring the Church of England away from the model favoured by the King, which at the time he was Supreme Head of, and more in line with the Presbyterian Kirk in Scotland, which was governed by a system of elected elders called 'presbyteries'.

Answer: Thomas Fairfax

Sir Thomas Fairfax had been close to the King and was not opposed to the monarchy, but believed the Sovereign's powers needed to be limited. Unlike the more radical Oliver Cromwell, Fairfax remained opposed to the abolition of the monarchy and, although initially appointed as judge presiding over the trial of the King, refused to take further part in the proceedings when he perceived that the trial was being conducted unfairly.

Answer: Twenty-Four

The initial paper establishment of the New Model Army was intended to be eleven regiments of cavalry with 600 men each; twelve regiments of infantry with 1,200 men each; and a single regiment of dragoons of 1,000 men. Although the cavalry regiments were fully manned with sufficient volunteers, the infantry was as many as 7,000 men down on full strength, with men having to be impressed into the army from Parliamentary held areas of the country.

Answer: Lieutenant-General

Before the Civil War, Cromwell had little military experience. However, in 1642, he recruited a troop of cavalry in his home county of Cambridgeshire, which he led to take part in, but arrived too late for, the Battle of Edgehill. This troop was subsequently increased to a full regiment in the army led by the Earl of Manchester, with Cromwell appointed as its colonel.

After a number of successful actions, in July 1644 Cromwell was promoted to Lieutenant-General and given command of all of Manchester's cavalry.

Answer: Queen Henrietta Maria

Queen Henrietta Maria was the King's faithful wife throughout the conflicts. She bore him a total of nine children, many of whom were forced to flee England during the period of the hostilities. Henrietta Maria took an active role in the war effort to maintain her husband's position under the idea of the Divine Right of Kings.

Answer: Papers revealing intentions to recruit Irish Catholics to the Royalist army

Once the King's personal papers were captured, Parliament took little time in publishing them, with the result that the country was horrified by potential involvement of Roman Catholics in the King's army. The papers also expressed the intentions to recruit foreign mercenaries and raise money for the war effort from Europe.

Answer: Twenty-one months

Following surrender, Charles was held prisoner successively under the Scots, the English Parliament and the New Model Army, all of whom believed that the King was necessary in promoting the legitimacy of their claims to govern. After the King was captured by the New Model Army in June 1647, the Scots and the English Presbyterians, combined with the remaining Royalists, began preparing for a resumption of the Civil War.