[3] The full list was Hampden, Pym, Hollis, Haselrig, and Strode, to which a sixth, Mandeville, was added later.  Copley’s fine painting of the “Attempted Arrest” is in the Boston Public Library.[1] Privilege:  the privilege of Parliament to debate all questions exempt from royal interference.

441.  The Great Civil War, 1642-1649, between the King and Parliament.

The King, baffled in his purpose, resolved to coerce Parliament by military force.  He left London in 1642, never to return until he came as a prisoner, and was delivered into the custody of that legislative body that he had insulted and defied.  Parliament now attempted to come to an understanding with the King.

There was then no standing army in England, but each county and large town had a body of militia, formed of citizens who were occasionally mustered for drill.  This militia was under the control of the King.  Parliament insisted on his resigning that control to them.  Charles refused to give up his undoubted constitutional right in the matter, and raised the royal flag at Nottingham, August, 1642.  Parliament then organized an army of its own, and the war began.

442.  Cavaliers and Roundheads.

It opened in the autumn of that year (1642) with the battle of Edgehill, Warwickshire, and was at first favorable to the King.  On his side were a majority of the nobility, the clergy and the country gentlemen.  They were mainly members of the Church of England and were known collectively as Cavaliers, from their dashing and daring horsemanship.  Their leader was Prince Rupert, a nephew of Charles.[1]

[1] See “A charge with Prince Rupert,” Atlantic Monthly, III, 725.

On the side of Parliament were the shopkeepers, small farmers and landowners, with a considerable number of men of high rank; as a rule they were Puritans (S378).  The King’s party nicknamed them “Roundheads,” because, despising the long locks and effeminate ringlets worn by the Cavaliers, they cut their hair short so that it showed the shape of the head.[2] Essex and Fairfax were the first leaders of the “Roundheads”; later, Cromwell became their commander.

[2] “Those roundheaded dogs that bawled against bishops,” said the Cavaliers.

443.  How the Country was divided; Rise of Political Newspapers.

Taking England as a whole, we may say that the southeastern half, that is, what was then the richest part of England, with London and most of the other large towns, was against the King, and that the southwestern half, with most of the North, was for him. (See map opposite.) Each side made great sacrifices in carrying on the war.  The Queen sold her crown jewels, and the Cavaliers melted down their silver plate to provide money to pay the King’s troops.

On behalf of the People’s army Parliament imposed heavy taxes, and levied now for the first time a duty on domestic products, especially on ales and liquors, known as the “Excise Tax.”  Furthermore, it required each household to fast once a week, and to give the price of a dinner to support the soldiers who were fighting against the King.