First English Civil WarBelligerentsRoyalistsParliamentariansScottish CovenantersCommanders and leadersCharles IPrince RupertLord AstleyLord GoringSir Ralph HoptonLord NewcastlePrince MauriceSir Thomas FairfaxOliver CromwellPhillip SkipponEarl of ManchesterEarl of EssexSir William WallerEarl of LevenCasualties and losses33,952 dead56,367 captured27,972 dead21,191 capturedThe First English Civil War took place in England and Wales from 1642 to 1646, and forms part of the 1639 to 1653 Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
Five MembersThe Five Members were Members of Parliament whom King Charles I attempted to arrest on 4 January 1642. King Charles I entered the English House of Commons, accompanied by armed soldiers, during a sitting of the Long Parliament, although the Five Members were no longer in the House at the time.
Oliver CromwellEnglish military and political leader (1599–1658)Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English statesman and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history. He came to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially as a senior commander in the Parliamentarian army and later as a politician.
John PymJohn Pym (20 May 1584 – 8 December 1643) was an English politician, commonly credited with helping establish the modern English Parliamentary system. A key leader of the opposition to Charles I of England prior to the First English Civil War, his use of procedure to outmanoeuvre opponents was unusual for the period.
State Opening of ParliamentThe State Opening of Parliament is a ceremonial event which formally marks the beginning of each session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. At its core is the Monarch's "gracious speech from the throne", which is also known as the King's or Queen's Speech, is read by the monarch but written by the government of the day.
Charles I of EnglandKing of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1625 to 1649Charles I (19 November 1600 – 30 January 1649) was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles was born into the House of Stuart as the second son of King James VI of Scotland. After his father inherited the English throne in 1603, he moved to England, where he spent much of the rest of his life.
Parliament of EnglandThe Parliament of England was the legislature of the Kingdom of England from the 13th century until 1707 when it was replaced by the Parliament of Great Britain as a result of the Treaty of Union 1707 which merged the parliament with the Parliament of Scotland. Parliament evolved from the great council of bishops and peers that advised the English monarch. Great councils were first called Parliaments during the reign of Henry III (r. 1216–1272).Commonwealth of EnglandThe Commonwealth of England, enlarged in 1653 as the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, was the political structure during the period from 1649 to 1660 when the Kingdom of England was dissolved into a republic after the end of the Second English Civil War and the trial and execution of Charles I. The republic's existence was declared through "An Act declaring England to be a Commonwealth", adopted by the Rump Parliament on 19 May 1649.
Execution of Charles I of EnglandCharles I, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, was publicly executed on 30 January 1649 outside the Banqueting House on Whitehall, London. The execution was the culmination of political and military conflicts between the royalists and the parliamentarians in England during the English Civil War, leading to Charles's capture and his trial.
Battle of Chalgrove FieldThe Battle of Chalgrove Field took place on 18 June 1643, during the First English Civil War, near Chalgrove, Oxfordshire. It is now best remembered for the death of John Hampden, who was wounded in the shoulder during the battle and died six days later. Hoping to capture a Parliamentarian convoy containing £21,000 in cash, during the night of 17 to 18 June Royalist cavalry from Oxford led by Prince Rupert raided positions around Chinnor.
Palace of WestminsterMeeting place of the UK ParliamentThe Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is located in London, England. It is colloquially known as the Houses of Parliament after the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two legislative chambers which occupy the building.
OxfordshireOxfordshire ( ; abbreviated Oxon) is a ceremonial county in South East England. The county is bordered by Northamptonshire and Warwickshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the east, Berkshire to the south, and Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to the west. The city of Oxford is the largest settlement. The county is largely rural, with an area of 1,006 sq mi (2,605 km) and an estimated population of 763,218 in 2024.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.