Date: Monday 29th June 2015 10:30
Location: Salón de Actos, Espai la Senieta, Moraira (next to the large free car park)
Subject: The Turbulent Years Of Charles The First And Oliver Cromwell
Lecturer: Brian Nicholls
As an introduction to Cheda’s scheduled talk on the ‘The Life and Times of Charles the Second’ early next year I thought that it would be interesting to look at the preceding 35 years between 1625 to 1660.
During this period, religious extremism and stubborn Royalist autocratic attitudes resulted in constant conflict, as a fledgling Parliament tried to implement a more representative, democratic process throughout the country.
Into the mix went serious conflict with Scotland and Ireland and battles in England between Parliamentary and Royalist forces.
After the execution of several prominent figures which eventually included the King himself, Britain became what is known as the Commonwealth (1649-1660), governed entirely by Parliament. Unfortunately, the first one was strongly Puritan but proved impractical and was quickly dissolved. The second one (1654) was religiously tolerant to all but Papists and Anglicans and included representation from all four countries. Unfortunately 100 members refused to comply and were expelled. Five months later this Parliament was also dissolved.
Cromwell, unwillingly, attempted to rule by martial law. He was asked to accept the crown which led to the immortal words spoken by Richard Harris in the film ‘Cromwell’ “Ye Gods: did we kill one King to simply replace him with another” Needles to say he refused and died several months later.
The process of government continued in a somewhat hapless way until the Monarchy was restored (The Restoration) with the return of Charles the Second.
