From 1642 to 1648, a conflict was fought between the camps of King Charles I of England and a large body of his subjects, generally known as the Parliamentarians. The struggle culminated in the defeat and execution of the king, and the subsequent establishment of a republican commonwealth. This essay investigates the intellectual origins of the Revolution, concentrating on the religious and constitutional themes that later led to open hostility. These sources of conflict will be explored thereafter, followed by the changes wrought by the long period of struggle. Not surprisingly, these changes were predominantly religious and political, as we shall see. Finally, we turn to the ultimate impact of the English Revolution on English history. .
Intellectual origins.
This section will focus on the ideas that underpinned the English Revolution. What was the conflict about intellectually, in the realm of ideas? The following section will explore the actual catalysts, or triggers, that set the war off. Here we investigate the broad themes that divided the nation and ultimately brought it to war. Viewed generally, there were a number of factors that caused resentment between the two camps, these camps being followers of King Charles I, and supporters of the Parliamentarians. Rifts between the Crown and the Parliament were notable under James I, for example, whose personal unpopularity helped to strengthen Parliament's hand. A particular bone of contention was his refusal to compromise on religious issues with the Puritans. The King also clashed with Parliament on questions of finance and supply in the early part of the 17th century. .
Ultimately, the intellectual origins of the conflict were about power, or more aptly, about the struggle for power. What rights belonged to whom? These rights were inextricably linked with questions of money and finance. They were also linked to religion.
