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Cromwell, the Commonwealth and the execution of Charles I

Study note

The English Civil War turned against the king. His army was beaten at two major battles, Marston Moor and Naseby, and by 1646 Parliament had won the war. Even in defeat, however, Charles I refused to reach any agreement with his opponents.

The consequences were extreme. In 1649 Charles I was put on trial and executed, an extraordinary event in British history. With the king dead, England became a republic, a country with no monarch at all, and this republic was called the Commonwealth.

The leading figure of these years was Oliver Cromwell, a general in Parliament's army. He crushed a revolt in Ireland with great and lasting violence, and he defeated the Scottish army of the late king's son, Charles II, at the Battles of Dunbar and Worcester. Cromwell was then given the title Lord Protector and ruled the country until his death in 1658. For the test, fix on Marston Moor and Naseby, the execution of Charles I in 1649, and Cromwell as Lord Protector until 1658.

Memory tip: Marston Moor and Naseby; Charles I executed 1649; Cromwell = Lord Protector until 1658.

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Question 1 of 5

In which year was King Charles I executed?

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Show all questions and answers for Cromwell, the Commonwealth and the execution of Charles I(5 questions with explanations)

Cromwell, the Commonwealth and the execution of Charles I: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. In which year was King Charles I executed?

    • 1605
    • 1660
    • 1642
    • 1649

    Correct answer: 1649

    Charles I was executed in 1649 after Parliament won the Civil War.

  2. 2. What was the name of the republic England became after the execution of Charles I?

    • The Protectorate of Wales
    • The Commonwealth
    • The Danelaw
    • The Pale

    Correct answer: The Commonwealth

    England became a republic called the Commonwealth, with no monarch.

  3. 3. What title was given to Oliver Cromwell as leader of the republic?

    • Prime Minister
    • Archbishop
    • Lord Protector
    • King

    Correct answer: Lord Protector

    Oliver Cromwell was given the title Lord Protector.

  4. 4. Select TWO battles at which the king's army was defeated in the Civil War.

    • Agincourt
    • Naseby
    • Marston Moor
    • Bannockburn

    Correct answer: Naseby and Marston Moor

    The king's army was defeated at the Battles of Marston Moor and Naseby.

  5. 5. In which year did Oliver Cromwell die?

    • 1649
    • 1666
    • 1660
    • 1658

    Correct answer: 1658

    Oliver Cromwell died in 1658, and his son Richard briefly succeeded him.

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