The History of England

As opposition to reform gathered in parliament and the king plotted to regain control, all came down to Strafford. Would the architect and executor of the king's party survive? Or fall, and his master's authority with it?

Charles' response to the Scottish Declaration was severe; but it also caused a division in the Junto, and among MPs. Meanwhile, as poublic religious debate exploded, divisions also grew between Presbyterians and Independants.

Francis Russell, Earl of Bedford believed that an accommodation could be reached with Charles - a amoderate agreement that would preserve the king's honour but provide a lasting reform. And early in 1641, an agreement was within grasp.

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The Parliament that convened in November 1641 would define Charles' reign. He would have to offer some concessions. but who would define their extent? The sympathetic royalist MPs, the moderate Reformers - or the Radical members of the Junto? And Charles still had Strafford at his side, breathing fire.

Charles and his Privy Council stretched life and limb to equip and pay for a new army to pull the king out of this fire. The Junto and Scots did everything they could to keep him in it. The result came in at Newburn.

As an exhausted king arrived back in Whitehall, his view had not changed one whit - the Scots must be taught a lesson and returned to obedience. More ,money raising ventures followed, but it was quickly clear that only one could solve the problem - parliament

'I expect not anything can reduce that people to obedience but force only' Charles wrote to Hamilton in 1638, and the actions of the General Assembly of the Kirk had made probably made it inevitable. And sure the combined might of England, Ireland and Royalist Scots could do the job. Wentworth certainly thought so.  

Against sage advice, Charles was determined to bring Scottish and English churches into harmony, by introducing a Scottish Book of Common prayer, and Canons. When the new service was to be used on 23rd July 1638, opponents were prepared.