When Parliament tried to force Charles to call Parliament regularly- (by only granting custom duties for one year. These makings Charles call for permission) Charles decided to ignore Parliament and go ahead and collect the duties anyway. This dissolving Parliament in 1629-(until 1640). This meaning that Parliament was not used for anything to do with the running of the country. This, a political cause triggered the anger of Parliament as having no influence annoyed Parliament greatly.
Now that Charles had no Parliament to grant him taxes he had to find other resorts to raise money. One method was ‘Ship Money’. This was a tax that was normally paid by counties and the coast for times at war (used for the navy). Charles used it for all over England by 1635 and when England was not at war. In 1639 only 20% of ship money was collected when more than 275 000’s was expected. This proves that ship money was not popular and could have triggered the war. This, an economic cause was causing disagreement throughout the country.
Another cause of conflict was the reforms made by Charles and Archbishop Laud in the 1630’s. They said they were trying to improve it when other people believed they were trying to bring back Catholicism. Some of the ‘improvements’ were to decorate the church. The reforms upset many people, particularly the Puritans. People believed that Charles was bringing back Catholicism, as his wife was Catholic maybe he was a Catholic too. Other changes were to the position of the altar. The altar was separated from the people and a railing was put. This was to give more respect to the Church. However, some people saw it as getting pushed away from the Church. The plans of the Churches show the difference is where the altar was put. Other ways in which Puritan attacked the Church was by giving out pamphlets, attacking the Church. This showing that Charles was cutting down the tree of religion; hope, faith, charity and good luck. This obviously triggered the war as the Puritans were not used to the changes that were being made. They believed that Catholicism was being brought back. This angered them, as they believed in simple worship.
Other problems throughout Scotland and England were occurring as the new prayer book was being introduced in 1637. This was a big mistake as it created furious people. The Scottish religious beliefs were based on simple worships (puritans). The English prayer book was to Catholicism for the Scottish. This was not helped when Charles forced it and told them what to do. Their reaction was rebellion. This caused the Civil War, as there were fights against Parliament.
Other problems with Puritans were the pamphlets this caused Puritans, Pkynne, Burton and Bashwick-who had written the pamphlets to be punished severely; their faces were put through most punishment.
After many religious differences, things came to a climax when in 1640 Charles declared war-they were defeated. Charles had to pay £850 soon while an agreement was reached. That money was not in Charles’ hands. This made Charles need money from Parliament. However, Parliament was not going to give him any until he stopped his unpopular policies. This meant Charles had caused the policies ant the feud between Parliament.
Other climaxes were with the Irish. The Irish Rebellion,(November 1641) was caused by Catholics and the Protestants. Rumors spread throughout London that 200 00 Protestants had been murdered and Charles was believed to rebel. This would have caused the civil war when the hatred was on Charles.
The Civil War was brought closer when Charles tried to arrest five MP’s. This brought outrage throughout Parliament. Parliament thought that Charles was defiantly trying to get rid of their Parliament. However, the MP’s were warned and they fled. This was a challenge for Parliament.
Charles made many mistakes, which were important causes for the civil war. But was he to blame? We need to look at what Parliament had done to cause the civil war.
Parliament had also made many mistakes. The first one was refusing the custom duties for Charles’ whole reign. This was one of the first causes of the civil war. It is because of the entire power parliament wanted. Throughout, all Charles’ reign they refused taxes. This resorted Charles to put up taxes, as he was desperate for money. Causes that were to give Parliament more power and influence were the Grand Remonstrance. This was a set of demands that were to give Parliament more power, reverse religious reforms etc. These demands were the beginning of demands that Parliament would make. These demands caused the civil war, as these were demands to make Parliament have power.
Once again Parliament wanted more power. This was the nineteen propositions in June 1642. Some people thought they went too far as they asked for total power. This separated the kings’ supporters and opponents. Charles thought this was the lost straw.
After many disagreements throughout the year’s things came to climax and civil war broke out, armies were gathered, brother fought brother, cousin fought cousin and father fought son. Looking at the evidence, my decision is that Charles was most to blame. As he brought about many changes that were mistaken. However, there is always two sides to an argument. So both were to blame but Charles was more. He brought taxes to extortion, he changed the religious ways so people thought he was bringing back Catholicism, and Protestants thought they were going to be executed, like people in Ireland. He let Parliament have no say in the matter and was obvious to their advice, which mostly was advice for people who believed in Protestantism. Civil War was not inevitable if Charles had not done what he did and had given more power and better decisions-civil war would not have happened.