The English Civil Wars and Quaker Persecution :: British History Essays

The English Civil Wars and Quaker Persecution The English Civil Wars began originally as a dispute over financial matters between the King of England (Charles I) and Parliament, but the underlying issue of this time, concerned the religion of the nation, which at the time included Scotland, Ireland, and part of North America. The Parliament consisted mostly of Protestant middle-class gentries and merchants. They did not believe in the King’s proposal of religious standardization that he tried to enforce on the entire nation. The proposal was the catalyst for two wars between Scotland and England from years of 1638-1640, as well as a larger divide between the King and Parliament. The events of these years led to a split in the nation over alliances. Those who supported the King were known as Royalists (or Cavaliers). This group was made up of higher-class citizens who respected social organization and solidity, as well as the King’s High Anglican beliefs. The opposing group, the so-called Roundheads, was made up of middle-class citizens who did not support a social hierarchy and were considered Puritans (a derogatory term at the time for radical reformers). By 1647, the English Civil War was under way. The war between Scotland and England raged for the next five years. In 1649 Charles I was eventually convicted of treason and beheaded by the Parliament of England. As the right of the throne of England passed on to Charles II, an idea supported by both Ireland and Scotland, the Royalist English army was decisively defeated by the Roundheads. The monarchy of England was abolished, and a Commonwealth created. It was not until nine years later that Charles II returned from exile and resumed the monarchy of England. During this war, actually driven by economic concerns, many religious radical groups were forming among the Roundheads. One of the most important groups was formed in 1650, and was later dubbed the â€Å"Quakers.† This religious movement held that the presence and grace of God was inside of everyone; they felt no need for elaborate church services, priests, or offerings of any kind.