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The beginning of the English Civil War (1642)

Study note

The quarrel between Charles I and his subjects grew worse over religion. The king tried to force a revised Prayer Book on the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, which caused serious unrest there. Short of money to deal with the trouble, in 1640 Charles recalled Parliament. Many of its members were Puritans, strict Protestants who disliked his religious reforms, and they refused to give him what he wanted.

Matters then came to a head dramatically. Charles marched into the House of Commons itself to arrest five leading members of Parliament, but they had been warned in time and had already escaped. This was such a shocking breach that no monarch has set foot in the House of Commons since.

With no agreement possible, civil war broke out in 1642. The country split into two sides. Those who backed the king were called Cavaliers, while those who supported Parliament were called Roundheads. For the test, remember 1642 as the start of the war, the Cavaliers as the king's side, and the Roundheads as Parliament's side.

Memory tip: Civil War from 1642: Cavaliers (king) vs Roundheads (Parliament); Puritans dominate Parliament.

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Question 1 of 6

In which year did the English Civil War begin?

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Show all questions and answers for The beginning of the English Civil War (1642)(6 questions with explanations)

The beginning of the English Civil War (1642): questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. In which year did the English Civil War begin?

    • 1588
    • 1660
    • 1642
    • 1605

    Correct answer: 1642

    The English Civil War began in 1642.

  2. 2. What were the supporters of the king in the Civil War called?

    • Jacobites
    • Puritans
    • Cavaliers
    • Roundheads

    Correct answer: Cavaliers

    Supporters of the king were called Cavaliers.

  3. 3. What were the supporters of Parliament in the Civil War called?

    • Roundheads
    • Cavaliers
    • Whigs
    • Tories

    Correct answer: Roundheads

    Supporters of Parliament were called Roundheads.

  4. 4. Who were the Puritans?

    • Scottish clan leaders
    • Catholic supporters of the king
    • Roman governors of Britain
    • Protestants who wanted strict and simple religious worship

    Correct answer: Protestants who wanted strict and simple religious worship

    Puritans were Protestants who favoured strict and simple worship.

  5. 5. Charles I tried to arrest five parliamentary leaders in the House of Commons, but they had already escaped.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Charles I entered the Commons to arrest five leaders, but they had been warned and fled.

  6. 6. Which statement about the English Civil War is NOT true?

    • Roundheads supported the king
    • Cavaliers supported the king
    • The war began in 1642

    Correct answer: Roundheads supported the king

    Roundheads supported Parliament; the Cavaliers supported the king.

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