1. ‘A thing most horrible!’
The English Civil War
‘A thing most horrible!’

2. How did Charles I lose control?

3. KING CHARLES I VS PARLIAMENT

4. A ‘PUT YOUR HEAD ON THE BLOCK’ GAME!
DECISION TIME!
A ‘PUT YOUR HEAD ON THE BLOCK’ GAME!

5. Don’t Lose Your Head!
In 1649 the King of England, Charles I, was beheaded. Since 1642 he had been involved in a bitter Civil War with Parliament. In this game you will take the role of King Charles, and will make a number of decisions about how to run your country. After making each decision you will be told what the result of it was, and how it compares to what Charles really did. At the end of the game you will be told how likely it is that your decisions would have plunged England into a bitter Civil War!

6. Decision Your choice & Why Outcome Reality What we can learn1)

7. What is your attitude to Parliament?
It is 1625.
You have just become King, and it is time to make your first speech to Parliament. You realise that Parliament is very important for your power, because it raises money for you in the form of taxes.
Crowds cheer as you make your way into the Palace of Westminster, dressed in all your robes of state. The House of Commons all stand up as you enter, and you take your seat at the far end of the Chamber (see picture). Everyone sits down and waits in silence to hear what you have to say. What is the main message of your speech likely to be? A
“I have been chosen by God to rule this country, and it is the duty of Parliament to obey my orders so that the country can be strong and united". B
“I have been given this job by the people of my Kingdom, and I plan to reach all my decisions after discussing the options with Parliament - even if this means that things get done more slowly".

8. The Outcome of your decision…
Parliament is not very impressed with your speech, which seems unnecessarily aggressive. There are lots of mumbles of discontent as you march out. You may be storing up problems for the future! The likelihood of Civil War rises by 20%. SCORE: +20%
"I have been chosen by God to rule this country, and it is the duty of Parliament to obey my orders so that the country can be strong and united".

9. The Outcome of your decision…
Parliament is very impressed with your speech. You seem to be a King who respects them and they just hope that you will stick by your promises. Well done - the chances of Civil War do not rise at all! SCORE: 0%
"I have been given this job by the people of my Kingdom, and I plan to reach all my decisions after discussing the options with Parliament - even if this means that things get done more slowly".

10. What REALLY happened?
In reality, Charles said that he had been chosen by God to rule the country, and that it was the duty of Parliament to obey his orders so that the country could be strong and united. He called this idea "Divine Right" - in other words, a right given by God.

11. A Royal Marriage? A
"I'll marry an English Protestant, so that Parliament can see that I am reliable and trustworthy".
Later in 1625.
Following your speech to Parliament, you get down to the everyday business of government, which you find very tiring. Your best friend, the Duke of Buckingham (a former favourite of your father), notices how worn out you are and takes you out for the day horse-riding. Eventually, you are deep in the countryside and you stop for a bite to eat. Climbing off his horse, Buckingham passes you his drinking flask and asks if you have given any more thought to getting married now that you are King
What do you say?
B "I plan to stay single. Children could grow up and maybe steal my throne" C
"I'll marry a French Catholic, so that Parliament can see that I am friendly to all religions and countries"

12. "I'll marry an English Protestant, so that Parliament can see that I am reliable and trustworthy".
This is probably the most sensible option. Catholic countries won't be happy, but at least your own Parliament will be convinced that you can be relied upon to protect the Church of England.
Puritans too are less likely to be angered by this policy.
Well done - the chances of Civil War have not risen!
SCORE: 0%

13. "I plan to stay single. Children could grow up and maybe steal my throne"
This might be a sensible option in the short term, but in the long term it means that the country will face all sorts of problems about finding a new King after you are gone. When MP's get to hear of your decision they are very worried - a lot of them can remember the problems created by Elizabeth's refusal to marry. SCORE: +5%

14. "I'll marry a French Catholic, so that Parliament can see that I am friendly to all religions and countries"
This is not a very wise choice. Parliament is absolutely appalled that their King is getting married to a CATHOLIC!
They are incredibly suspicious that you are maybe a Catholic yourself, and will be keeping a very close eye on you from now on... The likelihood of Civil War rises by 10%!
SCORE: + 10%

15. Charles not only married a CATHOLIC, but a FRENCH one!
What REALLY happened?
Charles not only married a CATHOLIC, but a FRENCH one!
This was not popular at all in Parliament. Many people thought that maybe Charles himself was a secret Catholic.
The new Queen's name was Henrietta Maria (shown here with her son, the future Charles II).

16. Should you hand Buckingham over to Parliament?
Agree to Parliament's
demands. Buckingham
messed it up, and should pay the penalty!
It is 1626.
Following your wedding, Buckingham tells you of his exciting (but expensive) plan to attack the Spanish with a fleet of ships. You love the idea, and although Parliament is not very keen, it eventually gives you the money for the operation. Buckingham sets off, but within a few days you get reports that he has made a complete pig's ear of the whole thing. Some ships have been sunk by the Spanish galleons, many men have been killed, and Buckingham is sailing back to England in disgrace. Parliament is furious, and is demanding that Buckingham be put into prison as soon as he gets back. What do you do?
B Refuse to punish Buckingham, who is a loyal friend. Instead, put some MP's in prison to show who is the real boss around here. C
Send Buckingham to court and let them decide what should be done.

17. Agree to Parliament's demands
Agree to Parliament's demands. Buckingham messed it up, and should pay the penalty!
You do not rate very highly as a friend, but at least you are realistic. By sacrificing Buckingham you are able to distance yourself from his failure and not take too much blame. SCORE: +0%

18. Refuse to punish Buckingham, who is a loyal friend
Refuse to punish Buckingham, who is a loyal friend. Instead, put some MP's in prison to show who is the real boss around here.
Buckingham breathes a sigh of relief, but Parliament is absolutely outraged by your behaviour. The likelihood of Civil War rises by 10%. SCORE: +10%

19. Send Buckingham to court and let them decide what should be done.
A clever move, in a way - you avoid siding either with Buckingham or Parliament.
However, neither side is happy with this. It looks like you haven't got the guts to decide what should be done for yourself.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 5%.
SCORE: +5%

20. What REALLY happened?
Charles stood by his friend. This saved the life of Buckingham, but Parliament was furious with the way that the King clearly didn't care about what it wanted.
In the end, Charles's support didn't save Buckingham, who was assassinated a couple of years later. Charles was deeply upset, but most MP's were secretly glad that he was out of the picture at last.

21. How should you react to the Petition of Right?
It is Following the disastrous Spanish campaign, Parliament produces the the Petition of Right, which says that the King will have to deal much more closely with Parliament in future and ask their permission before reaching any important decisions. You initially refuse to sign, but it becomes clear that if you do not sign then Parliament will not be willing to give you any more money. What do you do?
A Sign, but ignore it completely afterwards - in this way Parliament will feel successful but you will keep all your power.
B Sign, and stick by it - Parliament represents the people and you need them on your side. C
Send in your troops and make it clear that you will not be bullied by these jumped-up nobodies

22. Sign, but ignore it completely afterwards - in this way Parliament will feel successful but you will keep all your power.
With a great show of reluctance, you sign the Petition of Right and then leave Parliament.
They are very happy that you have been prepared to compromise like this. It is only a matter of time, though, before they realise that you have no intention of sticking to the Petition... The likelihood of Civil War rises by 5%!
SCORE: +5%

23. Sign, and stick by it - Parliament represents the people and you need them on your side.
You sign the Petition, and stick by it. Many people are surprised that you give in so easily to the demands of Parliament, and think that you are a bit spineless. Parliament, though, is overjoyed. It seems that you have managed to avoid leading the country any closer to Civil War on this occasion - well done! SCORE: 0%

24. Send in your troops and make it clear that you will not be bullied by these jumped-up nobodies.
This does not do anything to improve your reputation. All you do is appear aggressive and bossy. The fact remains that Parliament is where you will get your money from, and you cannot afford to anger them too much. The likelihood of Civil War rises by 10%!
SCORE:+10%

25. What REALLY happened? Charles signed the Petition of Right, but had no intention whatsoever of sticking to it. Parliament soon realised this, and leading MP's like John Pym now began to feel that Charles was not a man who could be trusted.

26. Economic problems: How shall you use Ship Money?
A Coastal counties. I won't raise much, but neither will so many people be annoyed with me!
It is 1629.
You are fed up with Parliament trying to boss you around, and have it dissolved. However, you still need the money which Parliament usually gives you, and so you decide to raise some Ship Money. This is a tax which is usually paid by towns on the coast during a war so that ships can be built to protect them. Where shall you impose Ship Money?
B Coastal counties and inland counties everywhere. That way, I'll raise loads of cash! C
Coastal counties, then inland counties. In this way I won't risk annoying so many people at the same time!

27. Coastal counties. I won't raise much, but neither will so many people be annoyed with me!
A sensible policy, although the coastal towns are very angry about the tax because the country isn't even at war! The likelihood of Civil War rises by 5%. SCORE: +5%

28. Coastal counties and inland counties everywhere
Coastal counties and inland counties everywhere. That way, I'll raise loads of cash!
A terrible error. The country isn't even at war to start with, and of what use will ships be for Midland counties?!
It is quite clear to the public that this is just an easy way for you to raise money without having to go to Parliament. The likelihood of Civil War rises by 10%.
SCORE: +10%

29. Coastal counties, then inland counties
Coastal counties, then inland counties. In this way I won't risk annoying so many people at the same time!
It makes a lot of sense to introduce the policy gradually to see how badly people react. Nevertheless, the country isn't even at war to start with, and of what use will ships be for Midland counties?! It is quite clear to the public that this is just an easy way for you to raise money without having to go to Parliament. The likelihood of Civil War rises by 8%.
SCORE: +8%

30. What Really Happened? Charles imposed Ship Money firstly on the coastal counties, then on the inland counties as well. This was deeply resented, because not only was the country not at war, but even if it was then the inland counties would hardly need ships to protect them! One man, John Hampden, refused to pay the money, and was taken to court. The judges were on Charles's side and decided that Hampden had to pay.

31. (a) What will you do with Prynne, Burton and Bastwick?
Religious Problems:
(a) What will you do with Prynne, Burton and Bastwick?
It is William Laud (left), your Archbishop of Canterbury, is trying to make the Church of England more popular by making Churches more decorative and beautiful. Many Puritans feel that Laud is actually a Catholic in disguise and very soon lots of pamphlets start appearing which say so. Eventually you arrest three people in connection with this named Prynne, Burton and Bastwick. What do you do with them?
a) Execute them - religion has caused enough problems and we don't want these people causing even more trouble.
b) Imprison them. In that way they won't become martyrs, but they'll be kept quiet too.
c) Disfigure them. In that way they'll look stupid and also frighten other people into behaving themselves.

32. Execute them - religion has caused enough problems and we don't want these people causing even more trouble.
You have Prynne, Burton and Bastwick burnt at the stake as heretics. This certainly frightens a lot of people, but in the long term you are seen as being brutal and unreasonable. Even worse, a lot of people now become convinced that you are a Catholic, like "Bloody Mary"!
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 10%.

33. Imprison them. In that way they won't become martyrs, but they'll be kept quiet too.
Prynne, Burton and Bastwick are thrown into the Tower of London. Probably the most sensible option. This will not make you popular with the Puritans, but at least you will manage to keep their ideas from spreading quite so fast.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 5%.

34. The likelihood of Civil War rises by 8%.
Disfigure them. In that way they'll look stupid and also frighten other people into behaving themselves.
You have the three offenders tortured very nastily and then released. This certainly frightens a lot of people into silence, but secretly many people think that you are now very unreasonable and maybe even a secret Catholic yourself. They want revenge!
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 8%.
What REALLY happened?

35. Next Question>>>>
What REALLY happened?
  Charles decided to humiliate Prynne, Burton and Bastwick. He had their ears cut off with blunt knives so that they would not be able to hear any more nasty things about Laud. Many of the King's opponents thought that this was far too brutal, and suggested that maybe Laud was a cannibal who was going to eat the ears for dinner! (see picture)
Next Question>>>>

36. Religious Problems: (b) A New Prayer Book for Scotland?
It is Archbishop Laud visits you in your palace, bringing with him a New Prayer Book which includes a few Catholic-style touches. He suggests that with Prynne, Burton and Bastwick now dealt with there is no reason for it to fail- even in Scotland You are concerned and tell him “The the Scots are even stronger Protestants than the English, and could react really badly. Maybe we should just limit it to England for now". "But your Highness!" replies Laud, "If we don't impose it on the Scots, then they would have a different religion to the rest of your Kingdom, which would never do!" You realise that what he says also makes sense. What do you do?
Don't impose it at all. The Scots could react really badly and
you don't want to risk it.
B) Impose it quickly and firmly. If you don't, then England and
Scotland would have different religions, which would never do.

37. Don't impose it at all. The Scots could react really badly and you don't want to risk it.
This makes sense in a way, although you end up with England and
Scotland having different religions. It will not be long before the Scots
start pressing for independence on other issues too.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 5%.

38. Impose it quickly and firmly. If you don't, then England and
Scotland would have different religions, which would never do.
Firmness can also be stubbornness. The Scots are furious at being told
to use what they see as a Catholic Prayer Book, and start to
rebel against you.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 10%!
What REALLY happened?

39. Next question>>>>
What REALLY happened?
Charles decided to impose the Prayer Book swiftly and firmly in Scotland.
This was a terrible mistake, as the Scots were very strong Protestants and thought that the book
was a piece of Catholic evil. When priests tried to read it out, there were riots (see picture).
                                                                                                              
Next question>>>>

40. Hand them over- you have no choice.
                                                                                                   
The "Bishops War" in Scotland: Should you abandon Laud and Strafford
 It is The Scots no longer have any sense of loyalty to you, and eventually you agree with Laud and the Bishops that war must be declared. Unfortunately, the Scots smash your armies to pieces! They are now in the North of England, and you have to pay them £850 per day just to stop them from coming any further! You simply can't raise this much money, and have to call Parliament to ask for some extra cash. Parliament, though, is furious with you for imposing Ship Money and following Laud's ideas - they accuse you of trying to cut down the English Church (see picture). The MP's say that in return for the money you must hand over Laud and your favourite soldier, Strafford, for execution as traitors [more]. What do you do?
Hand them over- you have no choice.
Refuse to hand them over- they are your friends

41. Hand Laud and Strafford over to Parliament.
You haven't really got any choice.
Painful, but realistic. Laud and Strafford are handed over and swiftly executed by Parliament - but at least you are able to keep the Scots under control. Nevertheless, it is becoming clear that Parliament is getting the upper hand and is becoming incredibly bossy.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 5%.

42. Refuse to hand them over; they are your friends and you will not betray them.
What's the point?! Parliament simply gets more angry, and you know that you will have to agree unless you want the Scots to march to London and take your throne! All that happens is that you have to give them up for execution anyway, after falling out even more with Parliament.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 10%!
What really happened?

43. Next question>>>>
What REALLY happened?
                                                                                                                                  
Next question>>>>
Charles had little choice in the matter. He sacrificed Laud and Strafford, who were both executed. The executions drew massive crowds outside the Tower of London, as both men were widely hated. Charles was deeply upset about the whole business.

44. The Grand Remonstrance and the 5 Members: How do you deal with them?
It is Parliament recently passed the Grand Remonstrance, which limited your powers still further. However, it only just got through Parliament people voted in favour, but 148 voted against it. Many MP's are clearly coming over to your side and think that Parliament is getting too big for its boots. Some of your advisors suggest that this is a good time to arrest the leading Five Members of Parliament who are against you so that you can get back in control. What do you say?
a) "Burst into Parliament tomorrow and grab the 5 Members unawares!".
b) "Forget the idea. It will only cause more trouble that we can do without".
c) "Use a few spies to work out when the 5 Members will all be in
Parliament, then go ahead and grab them there".

45. "Burst into Parliament tomorrow and grab the 5 MPs unawares!".
A terrible mistake. Although you succeed in arresting the 5 Members, all those MP's who had been supporting you are now convinced that you are evil. Parliament is re-united against you and your situation looks worse than ever.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 8%.

46. "Forget the idea. It will only cause more trouble that we can do without".
A wise move. In this way you will encourage more MP's to come over to your side and not scare them off by acting too harshly, although a few others think that you are weak and unable to stand up to Parliament.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 3%.

47. "Use a few spies to work out when the 5 Members will all be in Parliament, then go ahead and grab them there".
You send the spies, but some of them must have been double-agents, because the 5 Members get to hear of the plan to arrest them and vanish. When you burst into Parliament they are already gone and you look a complete fool.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 10%!

48. Next question>>>>
What REALLY happened?
                                                                           
Next question>>>>
Charles decided to use a few spies to work out when the 5 Members would all be in Parliament, but some of them must have been double-agents, because the 5 Members got to hear of the plan to arrest them and vanished. When Charles burst into Parliament they were not there and the speaker refused to tell the King where they were, saying "I have neither eyes to see nor ears to hear in this place". Charles had no option but to leave again, looking a complete idiot.

49. The Irish Rebellion and the Nineteen Propositions: Should you give up control of the army?
 It is March 1642                      The Irish are in open rebellion against you because they can see that you are having problems. You go to Parliament and tell them how important it is to send an army over there to deal with them. They agree, but you are shocked when they present you with a list of Nineteen Propositions which demand that control of the army should be in the hands of Parliament and that even the education of your children should be in their hands. What is your reply?
a) Give in to their demands. It is important the country gets back to normal, whatever the cost to me.
b)Refuse to accept. These demands are humiliating and would leave you completely powerless.

50. Give in to their demands
Give in to their demands. It is important the country gets back to normal, whatever the cost to me.
In the circumstances, this is probably the best you can do, although it is only making Parliament ever more arrogant.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 5%.

51. Refuse to accept. These demands are humiliating and would leave you completely powerless.
By refusing to accept you prove that you have a great deal of principle, but it means that any chance of compromise is over. War is now inevitable.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 10%!
What REALLY happened?

52. What does this tell us about Charles? Was it Charles fault?
What REALLY happened?
Charles completely refused to surrender control of the army, saying that to do so would make him "a mere phantom of a King". At this point both sides realised that there was no hope of agreement, and that a war was now inevitable. In August 1642 Charles raised his standard at Nottingham and appealed to all loyal subjects to join him in a war against Parliament. The Civil War had begun.
SO- how did you do? How close would you have come to bringing a civil war on the country?
What does this tell us about Charles? Was it Charles fault?
Or was Charles helpless to react to these events?