The Road to War
The Long Parliament kicked off in 1640 and immediately went after Charles's allies, executing his chief advisor Wentworth in 1641. Parliament kept pushing harder with demands like the Ten Propositions and Grand Remonstrance, whilst Charles made dodgy deals like supporting the Irish rebellion.
When Charles tried his famous five members coup in 1642, he'd basically declared war on Parliament. The Nineteen Propositions were Parliament's final attempt at a peaceful settlement, but Charles wasn't having it.
The First Civil War saw Parliament get serious about winning. They formed the Solemn League and Covenant with Scotland in 1643 and created the New Model Army in 1645 - a professional fighting force that absolutely smashed Charles's forces at battles like Marston Moor and Naseby.
Quick Tip: Remember that the New Model Army wasn't just better trained - they were also motivated by religious and political beliefs, making them incredibly effective fighters.
By May 1646, Charles had surrendered to the Scots, hoping they'd give him a better deal than the English Parliament. Spoiler alert: they didn't.
