Agreement Commonwealth Of Massachusetts The Trial Court To: Fill & Download for Free

That is a question with many components. “Hurt” can be physical (assault, battery, sexual assault, mayhem), psychological or emotional, financial, and the remedy will depend on what type of injury it is (is it a criminal offense or a civil offense).A person, per se, cannot “put somone in jail”. When someone is charged with a criminal offense, it is the government which is levying the charges - when a case is brought to court it will read “Commonwealth of Massachusetts versus Joe Defendant” or “State of New York versus Sam Offender”. The Court makes a decision as to where you will remain following your arraignment until trial (on personal recognizance, on bail, on ankle monitor, house arrest, remain ded to custody). After trial or plea agreement, the Court will decide a finding - guilt or innocence, what sentence if guilty you receive (fine, restitution to victim, probation, parole, incarceration) and if you will be incarcerated, where and for how long.The victim in a criminal case is just that - the victim who becomes a witness for the prosection. The government (city, state or federal) is the moving party for the criminal trial.In a civil matter, the person who has been hurt (by slander, by deception, by whatever) goes to a Cort and the facts are presented either to a judge or jury and a decision is made. Typically, remedies can be damages, punitive damages, apologies, retractions, change in policy but no jail.The Courts, both criminal and civil, are there to get justice. But please be aware, the Courts move slowly often, with delays, and a person does not always get the justice they truly deserve.

** This answer has been edited for clarity, and to include some additional information from those who have taken the time to share their comments.Also, our fellow Quoran Milt Rudy shared a fascinating video in his comment below. I encourage any member of the forum with interest in this topic to give it a look, as it contains some additional, and very helpful, advice from a law professor. It's 46 minutes long but, trust me, the knowledge you'll gain will prove extremely valuable when dealing with the police.New NMA membership fees have increased to $42, and gift memberships are now $25. My post has been corrected to include the updated rates. **__________________________I'm NOT a lawyer, but I'm going to pass along the advice I received from the late, great Howard Grimm, Esquire (Howard Grimm was, if not THE best, one of the best attorneys who ever practiced law).1). Never plead guilty to ANYTHING, not even a parking ticket.2). Force the prosecutor and police to do their jobs and PROVE you're guilty, and make it as expensive as possible for them to do so. File motions to continue, Change of Venue motions, writs demanding verification of sources or chains of custody for any evidence they claim to have against you, and pore through the Probable Cause Affidavit with a fine-tooth comb, challenging everything that's based on any police officer's “observations” or “beliefs” (i.e., “Officer Blowhard observed what he believed were green flecks of marijuana residue on the defendant's shirt …”).3). *(NOTE: This may no longer work in every state, due to updated legislation.) *At your arraignment, claim indigence; let the court appoint a public defender for you. Give him or her all the information pertaining only to the P.C. affidavit. Once a trial date has been set on a docket, you'll know the name of the judge. Fire your public defender and hire the best attorney in your area. Now that you have a trial date, most of the expensive stuff is already done, so except for the odd deposition or annoyance motion, you'll just be paying your new attorney's hourly rate.4). MAKE SURE YOU PAY YOUR LAWYER ON THE DAY OR DATE AGREED UPON. Don't make up excuses; mortgage your home, put off your other bills for a month or two, borrow from friends and family if you must, but make sure your lawyer is paid ON TIME. This is just cheap insurance; if you ever need a good lawyer in the future, he or she is more likely to take your case because he or she knows you'll pay your bill when it’s due. There are other benefits to this, too. Years ago, when I was a young man, I was pulled over for an expired inspection sticker (Indiana no longer requires annual vehicle inspections). The cop was being a real smartass, asking me if I was mentally retarded or just stupid, asking my then-girlfriend if she was my sister, just trying to make me angry to escalate the situation. I just smiled and chuckled a little. “You think this is funny?” he asked, and I nodded. “Okay, then; I'm also going to write you up for no brake lights and driving an unsafe vehicle. We'll see how funny you think it is when you pay the fine and court costs.” My brake lights worked just fine, and my inspection was scheduled for the following day at Campbell's Garage. “I'm sure my attorney will handle it,” I told him. “Oh yeah? And who's your lawyer?” he asked. “John Grimm,” I replied (Howard's son, an excellent attorney in his own right, who had a reputation for destroying police officers' testimony while on the witness stand. He even had a few charged with perjury although, to my knowledge, none were ever convicted or even went to trial). The cop tore the half-written ticket from his book, wadded it up and shoved it into his pocket. “Son of a … Forget it! Have a nice day,” he huffed. He got back into his car and sprayed gravel everywhere as he drove off. Incidentally, John really was my lawyer. He negotiated a very nice settlement for me in a landlord-tenant dispute, handled a Workman's Comp claim for me and had two frivolous speeding tickets dismissed (both were for less than five mph over). He charged me $75 for each of the tickets, but I figure I saved more than that in insurance rate hikes.5). NEVER go to trial with a P.D. (Public Defender). They make the same $240 per case whether you're convicted or not, so they have no vested interest in your exhoneration. Also, they'll try desperately to convince you to sign whatever plea deal the prosecutor puts on the table. Being tapped by the prosecutor is any P.D.’s ticket out of the public defender's office and their overwhelming caseloads; those who play ball are more likely to be hired as deputy prosecutors, which means regular hours, an actual paycheck and expense account, state-funded health insurance and prosecutorial immunity.6). If you're called to testify, answer the question that was asked, and then STOP ANSWERING THE QUESTION. Don't expound or volunteer additional details unless you're specifically asked to do so via another question. If you're asked a yes-or-no question, pause for a few seconds in case your attorney might make an objection, and then answer, “Yes,” or “No.” Force the prosecutor to drag every single tidbit of information out of you; this practice will eventually rattle most prosecutors, and when he's frustrated, he's more likely to overlook something or to make a mistake your attorney can exploit to your advantage. Even under direct questioning by your own attorney, you should pause for a few seconds before you answer; it makes you appear thoughtful.7). Be CONFIDENT, but not arrogant. Wear a jacket and tie to court; DON'T wear an Armani suit. Look the judge or jurors in the eye, and speak directly to them while testifying. Make eye contact with every juror on the panel. If you're asked to explain something, be sincere, and imagine you're telling your story to your best friend over a cup of coffee. It's okay to laugh or to chuckle during those times when it's appropriate while relating your account; it puts the judge or jury at ease, and makes your version of events more believable. Cops are always very clincal when testifying, using words like “vehicle” instead of “car,” “I observed” rather than “I saw,” “my assigned commission” in place of “the squad car” and “deadly weapon” instead of “sandwich,” “cell phone” or “toothbrush.” Jurors don't speak that way, and you shouldn't either, because they really aren't impressed when cops try to talk down to them. I once heard a police officer testify, “I placed the suspect in restraints for his own safety because, at that point in time, I couldn't be certain of the circumstance which had currently perspired.” [sic] What he meant was, “I handcuffed the suspect because I didn't know what had happened (transpired).” Don't try to talk like a cop; you'll only alienate yourself from the jury. Just be sincere and tell the court what happened in plain language.8). If a police officer lies on the witness stand, don't be afraid to point that out. When my brother was arrested for DUI, the cop said he failed his field sobriety test, and added “He blew a point one-two on the portable field breath test.” In fact, my brother and I each had ONE glass of wine with our steak dinner at Logan's Steakhouse so, when I was called to testify, I told the judge, “This guy missed his true calling, Your Honor. He should have been a writer, because that's some of the best fiction I've ever heard.” The judge actually laughed and asked me, “Was your brother drunk?” I replied, “Not even close. I spent thirteen years in the Navy, Your Honor, and a lot of my off-duty time was spent in various E-clubs. My little brother can drink me under the table, so I'm certain he was not impaired in any way by having one glass of wine with dinner. I had a glass of the same wine, so why did the officer ask me to drive Mike's car home without even smelling my breath?” After our server testified, my brother was found Not Guilty, because he KNEW the cop was lying through his teeth.9). NEVER consent to a warrantless search, neither of your vehicle nor of your home or property. If a police officer shows up at your door and wants to talk to you, speak to him through the locked screen door, if you have one. If not, speak to him (or her - sorry), through your locked door. If he or she says they can't hear you, just say, “Go around to the side of the house and I'll open the window a crack.” If you're questioned about anything, say, “I'll be happy to answer any questions you care to ask, but only in the presence of my attorney. I don't know why you're here, and I don't want to be misquoted. If you're going to ask me anything, I want my lawyer to witness my answers. Leave your card in my mailbox, and I'll call you with my attorney's address when I have an appointment.” If they approach you on the street and ask anything besides your name, don't answer. Instead, ask, “Am I under arrest?” If they say no, then tell them, “This conversation just came to an end. If you want to question me, you'll either have to arrest me now, or meet me at my attorney's office at his (or her) convenience.”Just as a quick sidebar, I should mention that I have six video cameras in my truck. Some are in plain sight; I have a dash cam in the windshield and one in the back window, and a pinhole camera in each of the back corners (which record to a hard drive, locked securely beneath the floorboard under the back seat). I also have two more in covert locations, just in case the others are confiscated and “accidentally” or “inadvertently” lost, damaged or erased. Two of those cameras stream live video to a web site on a dedicated server whenever I'm in the truck, even when the ignition is turned off. The cops might find all of my cameras if my truck is ever impounded, but they won't get the evidence. All have microphones, too (except the two pinhole cameras), and display the date and time on the recorded video. I have a camera in my sunglasses, and I carry a pen-camera in my shirt pocket, which is activated with a simple push of a button. I'm not a drug dealer or a criminal; I have a very good reason for this level of concern, which I might reveal in a future post.And finally …10). NEVER, and I mean NEVER, EVER, lie to your lawyer. Tell him or her EVERY LITTLE DETAIL, no matter how embarrassing it might be. It's his or her job to decide what to pursue and what to omit. Omitting any part of the factual details will likely come back to haunt you at the least convenient moment, and your credibility will be destroyed beyond repair. Your attorney doesn't like those types of surprises, because it makes you both look foolish. If your lie or omission is revealed in court, the jury (or judge) will have already convicted you before they even begin to deliberate your fate; if you lied about that, you're probably lying about something (or everything) else. They will prefer to err on the side of caution and find you guilty every time. Your lawyer isn't going to gossip about you (that's why the “lawyer/ client privelidge” is held inviolate), so come clean and spill your guts during your second meeting. The first, the initial consultation, should be a “broad-stroke” explanation of your case. Once he or she has accepted your case and you've signed the agreement, you should say, “I'd like the first available appointment so I can give you all the details.” In the meantime, gather up all your paperwork, write down the names and contact information of any witnesses you believe could help, and take pictures of the scene, any nearby landmarks and of anything else that might be considered material evidence (such as skid marks, tire tracks, damage to your car, visible footprints or whatever might help to reinforce your version of events). Print those pictures, write the details in block letters on the back of each image and give them all to your attorney. Again, let him or her decide which ones will be used in court. If he or she doesn't use some, or even any, of them, that's okay; it's better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.Howard taught me a few other secrets, which I'll keep to myself for the time being (I don't want to give away the farm, so to speak).I guess I should add this disclaimer:The above is not intended to be, nor should it be taken as, legal advice. I've simply shared some of the things I learned from a man who knew his way around around a courtroom. Howard Grimm never tried to sugar-coat American jurisprudence, and he had three sons who were also very aggressive in matters of law. Police officers do not exist to protect us from harm. American courts all over the nation have long held that a police officer has no duty or obligation to put himself in harm's way to protect a citizen. In my opinion … I'll repeat that more loudly for those who are already upset from reading this post … IN MY OPINION, the police in the United States comprise the best-equipped, best-organized and largest criminal gang our nation has ever produced, and they only exist to protect each other from civilian redress when we're victimized by them. To be fair, this is a general, albeit personal, observation; I'm sure there are a few out there who believe themselves to be “good cops.” However, I believe that if any police officer has been on the force for more than a week, then he has either committed a violation of statutory or constitutional law or, if he hasn't done so personally, he knows of someone on the same force or within the same precinct who has committed such violations.Again, I'll point out that my opinions aren't borne out of something I heard Rush or Hannity say on the radio; these are my own beliefs, borne from my own bitter and disheartening experience with law enforcement officers, so don't waste your time or mine writing comments telling me how wrong I am or how tough your job is. Such comments will be deleted immediately. Want to change my mind? Give me my $80,000 back and I'll consider it. Short of that, I have no interest in reading any defense you might offer here on the forum, so you may direct your comments to my attorney of record. Your job is tough because you (or your colleagues) have made it that way, and now, with the advent of smart phones that ensure most citizens have a means to record what you're really up to, the blue curtain you've hidden behind for decades is finally being lifted.TL;DR:Bottom line? Don't trust police officers, prosecutors or elected officials. If any of the aforementioned tell you, “I just want to help you,” they're most likely lying to you, because it's perfectly legal for any of them to do that. If you lie to them, though, it's a criminal offense. That alone should illustrate the one-sided “us vs. them” environment they've created in this country.I'll wrap this up with one final recommendation for my fellow Quorans: Join the National Motorists Association (just Google motorists.org). It's $42 a year ($25 for a gift membership), they're non-profit and they REALLY look out for their members. If you get a speeding ticket, they have tons of reference materials they'll loan you for free that will help you prepare and win your case (or you can buy them if you want to keep them on hand). If you take a speeding ticket to court and lose, the NMA will reimburse you up to $150 in cash (one ticket per year). Don't take my word for it; just check out their web site - it's all there in writing. Another thing I like about the NMA is that they answer their own phones! When you call them, you won't get a call center rep who routes your call back to someone who will pass along your message; you'll be speaking with someone who is actually sitting in the NMA office, and prepared to answer your concerns or to help you decide how to handle that traffic infraction. I've been a member for nearly twenty years, and I donate to them whenever I can.Sorry for the long-winded diatribe; this is the longest answer I've ever posted on Quora, so thanks for letting me vent, and good luck to all.*EDIT:Okay, first of all, I just got off the phone with Kelly at the NMA. Membership fees have increased to $42, and gift memberships are now $25. I often give away gift memberships (10 in 2017), and the NMA extends my membership by a few months for every gift I make to someone. When I first joined many years ago, it was twenty bucks a year, but I guess everything is more expensive now than it was back then. I apologize for this oversight, and I've made the necessary correction in my post above (although it might still be incorrect in some of my responses to a few commenters).Moving on …While most of the comments I've received from those who have read this post have been positive, I'm catching some flak from a few others who have correctly pointed out that some of the above recommendations won't work out for everyone in every state. For example:If you live in one of the Commonwealth states (Kentucky, Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania), some of these strategies may not be available to you. Claiming indigence, for example, apparently doesn't work in Virginia, according to one commenter.Also, I want to emphasize that I am not an attorney, and this post is intended only to outline various tactics I've employed in my personal legal proceedings, both civil and criminal, which were related to me by a very successful attorney.I don't have a criminal record, although I was arrested for two felony counts in 2006 (I was acquitted of all charges at trial, and I have since had the arrest expunged).As one commenter (a practicing attorney) pointed out, there ARE times when a defendant should consider accepting a plea bargain. For example:I worked at a liquor store here in Fort Wayne when I was young. One night after closing, a burglar chopped a hole in the roof and became wedged in a ventilation duct. I heard him calling for help the next morning when I opened the store, called the fire department to have him extracted, and then called the owner of the store and apprised him of the situation. The owner arrived with the police in tow, and the would-be burglar was arrested the moment his feet touched solid ground.Under similar or comparable circumstances, of course, it should be obvious that any offer the prosecutor might make would be in the defendant's best interest.However, if you're ever arrested for a crime for which you KNOW you're innocent, I remain adamant that you should NOT accept a plea bargain. While it's possible you might be convicted at trial, even when you're innocent, it's just as likely that you will be acquitted.When a defendant's trial begins, his chances of conviction or acquittal are exactly 50/50. As the trial progresses, the pendulum will swing both ways during witness testimony. There are two major factors which will ultimately decide your fate:1). The eveidence against you (including witness testimony), whether it's bona fide or manufactured and,2). Which attorney's argument the judge or jury finds more convincing or credible.Before the attorneys here tear me a new one, I will state that there ARE other factors which come into play, but those two are the major ones.Most members here, I hope, will never face a criminal trial. Even so, most of you will receive the occasional parking ticket or traffic citation (speeding, dim license plate light, headlight/ brake light out, no seat belt or similar nonsense).Lawyers will tell me I'm full of it but, personally speaking, I NEVER just whip out my checkbook and pay the fine without forcing the prosecutor to relinquish a significant amount of his annual budget to prove I'm guilty; I'll waste as much of the state's money as I can. Since 2006, the police have mostly left me alone, because they know I’M GOING TO FIGHT BACK. The few times I have been stopped, they immediately dropped their adversarial attitude the moment I pointed out the video system I've installed in my truck which, incidentally, I keep in excellent repair.I have successfully utilized EVERY SINGLE ONE of the tactics I've outlined above at different times in my life, and I STILL recommend them. However, please use your God-given common sense to realize the laws may be different where you live, so some of them might still work for you, while others may not apply.If you get a traffic citation, do yourself a favor and call the National Motorists Association at (608) 849–6000. You'll be required to join for a year, but that'll be the best forty bucks you'll ever invest. The NMA will do everything in their considerable power to help you fight that ticket yourself and WIN, without having to hire an attorney.Also, I hope you'll read the input from other Quorans who have taken the time to comment on this post, as you'll find some very valuable information there. I'm not ashamed to admit I've learned a few things from them, and I'm grateful to all of you who have shared your knowledge and experience.Fred

Cromwell was a religious Puritan, who formed a “new Model Army” to fight the tyranny of King Charles the 1st of England. He also became a tyrant himself, when he massacred and murdered his way across Ireland during a Military campaign he conducted there. Cromwell employed General Mathew Hopkins to search for and execute spies and Royalist message couriers. (Runners). Hopkins (the infamous Witchfinder General) was also a dreadfully cruel man, who would commute the sentence of death by execution if he was paid in Gold.Despite Cromwells outward show of Religion and Puritanism, his Irish campaign was one of bloodshed and massacre. And the mention of “Witchfinder” General Mathew Hopkins still evokes sinister old memories in parts of East Anglia in England today.Oliver Cromwell Arrests the King. Movie Remake.A Historical Bust of Oliver Cromwell.Below King Charles the First. A Model figure made and sold by the author in France.Oliver Cromwell also is known as “the Lord High Protector of England” (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English military and political leader. ... Cromwell was one of the signatories of King Charles I's death warrant in 1649, and he dominated the short-lived Commonwealth of England as a member of the Rump Parliament (1649–1653).Oliver Cromwell was the Religious leader of the Puritans, who marched Britishsoldiers into the Houses of parliament, and Dissolved the “Rump” parliament (Rump in old English meant that they had sat on their backsides and done nothing for years, and he made an English “Protectorate” instead for 13 years.Corrupted dishonest and rip of Parliamentary cronies for the Royalist cause were chucked out of Parliament and parliament, which had been influenced and “Prerogued” by King Charles the 1st was officially dissolved, and a Protectorate followed. But first of all, there followed a violent and terribly bloody English Civil War between the followers of Oliver Cromwell, known as Parliamentarians or “Roundheads” after the metal rounded helmet worn by them) and the Kings Armies called the “Royalists” or the” Cavaliers”.Below King Charles, “lawfull” King of England, tyrant and dictator….Charles Lorded it over the English people and acted as if the “divine right appointed and incorruptible body” but in fact, he was very corrupt….The above painting tries to portray Charles as if related somehow to the churches “Holy and Incorruptible trinity”….A deeply cynical piece of propaganda.Trust in God and keep your powder dry” Cromwell cynically told his followers.A Civil War Musketeer or “Arquebusier” loading his Muscket with dry gunpowder to prepare to shoot at the enemy.Other Early English Political or religious type “Movements” such as the Quakers, who left the Army because they refused to swear an Oath of allegiance) and “Levellers” came into being and had their genesis from this tumultuous time in English politics.Cromwell Dismiss the English Parliament to stop poor-quality decision making and Public corruption and abuse of due Process by the Kings cronies, who had paid bribes, taken public monies but done “no good” for England at all in years and years of scandals.Cromwell marched on Parliament, which was supposed to represent the “people” but instead was corrupted, kept doing nothing, except lining its own pockets with their tax money, and had the heart and mind of the “Crown” of Charles 1st).Above. The Hard and the Soft….Parliamentary “Roundhead” Soldiers Marched into Englands Rump parliament and Dissolved it because it only served the political interests of the rich and the greedy, and replaced it with an English Protectorate instead for 13 years.Marching into the corrupted infamous Parliament, he dismissed them from power, saying “Depart I say, and let us be done with you, Be gone you rogues for you have sat long enough for all the good you do, in the name of God Go!”Above. The authors Model of an English Civil ar Parliamentary Trooper (or “Roundhead” cavalry horse soldier).Below. Oliver Cromwell removes the “sacred speakers mace of office” from the House at Westminster and takes it away.Civil War followed, because King Charles of England “thy lawful King” was abusing his position, and had “Prerogued” suspended parliament, turning English law for his own selfish ends.Parliament proroguedIn January 1629, Charles opened the second session of the English parliament, which had been prorogued in June 1628, with a moderate speech on the tonnage and poundage issue.Abuse of parliamentary process. Abuse of parliament and Corruption to rule by “Divine Lawfull Right” over England. Charles suspended everybody he didn't like and decided to “rule” to make his own “policies”. In addition, Charles favoured a High Anglican form of worship, and his wife was Catholic - both made many of his subjects suspicious, particularly the Puritans. Charles dissolved parliament three times between 1625 and1629. In 1629, he dismissed parliament and resolved to rule alone. People in the everyday hard-working streets and farms of England became angry, resentful and suspicious of Charles.Star Chamber Court hearing in Secret to Punish any who Disagree with King Charles.Charles used a private 'Court of the Star Chamber' to try and punish his opponents. When Parliament complained in 1629, he dismissed them. ...Charles needed to raise money without Parliament so he used old laws such as Ship money, which was a tax collected from coastal towns in the Middle Ages to pay for the navy.Cynical “Recall” of parliament.After 11 years of attempting Personal Rule between 1629 and 1640, Charles recalled Parliament in 1640 on the advice of Lord Wentworth, recently created Earl of Strafford, primarily to obtain money to finance his military struggle with Scotland in the Bishops' Wars.King Charles finaly declared war on Parliament in 1642. in August 1642.Above. The editors Model of King Charles the First. Produced and for sale by the Author in France.He lost that war and was beheaded as a traitor for high treason by Oliver Cromwell.The Protectorate was the period during the Commonwealth (or, to monarchists, the Interregnum) when England and Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the English overseas possessions were governed by a Lord Protector as a republic.During these years, Englands “claim”, and theft, of Northern Ireland, became firmly entrenched. Oliver Cromwell also took his “New Model Army” into Ireland, and fought for English possession there. It is a moot point, that there survives an old saying that comes down to the modern world from that time when Cromwell had to take an Irish position. there were two nearby villages, one village called “Hook” and the other village named “Crook”. So, he said “I will take that position either by “Hook” or by” Crook”.This is still a generally used and well known saying in English speaking countries today, though it really dates from the English war in Ireland….The Protectorate began in 1653 when, following the dissolution of the Rump Parliament and then Barebone's Parliament, Oliver Cromwell was appointed Lord Protector of the Commonwealth under the terms of the Instrument of Government. In 1659, the Protectorate Parliament was dissolved by the Committee of Safety as Richard Cromwell, who had succeeded his father as Lord Protector, was unable to keep control of the Parliament and the Army. This marked the end of the Protectorate and the start of the second period of rule by the Rump Parliament as the legislature and the Council of State as the executive.Under the English “Protectorate”, Ireland was invaded and subjected, Scotland was also invaded and subjected, and austere rulership by the Puritans began. Christmas was actually banned for thirteen years by decree of Cromwell, and steadily, the previously popular hero began to annoy the English people all over again, with the over strict, harsh Puritanical interpretation of laws.Since 1649 and prior to the Protectorate, England, Ireland and later Scotland had been governed as a republic by the Council of State and the Rump Parliament. The Act declaring England to be a Commonwealth, which established England, together with "all the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging", as a republic, had been passed on 19 May 1649, following the trial and execution of Charles I in January of that year. All of Ireland came under the same governance (after the successful Cromwellian conquest of Ireland) with the appointment of a Parliamentary military governor in Dublin. Scotland was invaded, subjugated and placed under an English military governor first appointed in 1651.The process of placing the governance of Scotland on a more long term constitutional footing began shortly after the defeat of the Scottish Royalists and Charles II at the Battle of Worcester. On 28 October 1651, the English Rump Parliament passed a declaration for the union of the English and Scottish parliaments, but the process was not completed until an Act of Union was passed on 26 June 1657 (See Tender of Union).On 20 April 1653, after learning that Parliament was attempting to stay in session despite an agreement to dissolve, and having failed to come up with a working constitution, Cromwell, with the backing of the Grandees in the Army Council, marched soldiers into the debating chamber and forcibly ended the Rump's session.Within a month of the Rump's dismissal, Oliver Cromwell on the advice of Thomas Harrison and with the support of other officers in the Army, sent a request to Congregational churches in every county to nominate those they considered fit to take part in the new government. On 4 July a Nominated Assembly nicknamed the "Assembly of Saints" or Barebone's Parliament (named after one of its members), took on the role of more traditional English Parliaments. However it proved just as difficult for the Grandees to control and was in addition a subject of popular ridicule, so on 8 December 1653 MPs who supported Cromwell engineered its end by passing a dissolution motion at a time of day when the house usually had few members in attendance. Those who refused to recognize the motion were forcibly ejected by soldiers.The collapse of the radical consensus which had spawned the Nominated Assembly led to the Grandees passing the Instrument of Government in the Council of State which paved the way for the Protectorate.Oliver Cromwell became the “Lord High Protector of England”. Cromwells rulership over the protectorate was in reality, Military rule as much as Political, and rulership was by the English “major generals” in the new Model Army formed by Cromwell.Rule of the Major-GeneralsOliver CromwellThe first Protectorate parliament met on 3 September 1654, and after some initial gestures approving appointments previously made by Cromwell, began to work on a moderate programme of constitutional reform. Rather than opposing Parliament's bill, Cromwell dissolved them on 22 January 1655. After a royalist uprising led by Sir John Penruddock, Cromwell (influenced by Lambert) divided England into military districts ruled by Army Major-Generals who answered only to him. The fifteen major generals and deputy major generals—called "godly governors"—were central not only to national security but Cromwell's moral crusade.“Godly Governors”? Never has the term been so spitefully used. This “Godly Governorship” was not so far removed from the much later rulership of the American Civil war “Confederacy”, who all had beards that made them look like righteous “Moses” but who whipped and stripped for “slaves, cotton and Molasses”. The puritan rule in England became intolerable, objectionable.Religious false “righteousness” and harsh Discipline made Puritan rule deeply unpopular, just as the King had been before. Coin and all forms of gambeling games were strictly forbidden, and troops were sent to houses to search for and arrest anybody found celebrating the banned festival of Christmas.No Christmas under Cromwell?!!! The Puritan assault on Christmas during the 1640s and 1650sUnder Puritanical type beliefs, Scotland also suffered a dull, sad, boring time.After years of build-up, finally, in 1640 an Act of Parliament of Scotland made the celebration of Yule illegal. This ban was officially repealed in 1712, but the Church continued to frown upon the festive celebrations.In 1647, The English Parliament passed a law that made Christmas illegal. Oliver Cromwell, the Puritan leader, believed feasting and revelry on what was supposed to be a holy day were considered immoral. Thus, he banned all Christmas activities.The Ban on Festivities even reached and got strictly enforced in the new American colonies.In 1659 the Puritan government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony actually banned Christmas. ... But the Puritans, a pious religious minority (who, after all, fled the persecution of the Anglican majority), felt that such celebrations were unnecessary and, more importantly, distracted from religious discipline.The generals supervised militia forces and security commissions, collected taxes and ensured support for the government in the English and Welsh provinces. Commissioners for securing the peace of the commonwealth were appointed to work with them in every county. While a few of these commissioners were career politicians, most were zealous puritans who welcomed the major-generals with open arms and embraced their work with enthusiasm. However, the major-generals lasted less than a year. Many feared they threatened their reform efforts and authority. Their position was further harmed by a tax proposal by Major General John Desborough to provide financial backing for their work, which the second Protectorate parliament—instated in September 1656—voted down for fear of a permanent military state. Ultimately, however, Cromwell's failure to support his men, sacrificing them to his opponents, caused their demise. Their activities between November 1655 and September 1656 had, however, reopened the wounds of the 1640s and deepened antipathies to the regime.Above. This is the real face of Oliver Cromwell, from his Deathmask, as he was when he died, 13 years after the English Civil War, the War in Ireland, and the Protectorate in England.Cromwell was born in England at Ely near Cambridge. His real original home survives, and is preserved there and can be visited today by the public.Inside Cromwell's house in Ely. Cambridgeshire.Cromwell was a deeply devoted religious “Puritan” and could not abide by certain Religious “imagery” or certain kinds of worship.Cromwell grew up and practiced an austere, simple way of religious life, strict adherence to Moral honesty and was against such “excesses” as the celebration of Christmas (which was BANNED and made ILLEGAL in the English Protectorate of Puritan Britan after the English Civil War), and gambeling and all forms of Sorcery were absolutely forbidden.English Puritans wore simple clothes, with sombre colours.Below. Some typical types of Puritans.Above. Puritan Lady in plain attire.Above. A Puritan man Preaching the Religious Message.Above. This man, dressed in Modest Brown attire is in fact, a young Oliver Cromwell, from before the Civil War came.Hopkins travelled from town to town, claiming to hunt witches, and trialling and then cruelly executing suspects, but was really searching for “free-thinking intellectual women” or female spies and secret errand and document messengers who worked for the King. according to a local legend in England, he only ever supposedly found one real witch and failed to know how to deal with her…..“If it be she float, she be guilty, but if it be she drown, then she be innocent”There was NO hope if the Witchfinder general trialled you, death, either way, was certain unless you could pay with Gold….The whole thing was a deeply cynical Political stage show and an organized money racket. Hundreds of innocent women died because of Mathew Hopkins….Above. The “Witchfinder General” Mathew Hopkins. 1619 to 1647Cromwell employed Mathew Hopkins during the English Civil War to find and kill all Witches and practicers of Sorcery. But Hopkins would “commute” the death execution sentence if Gold was paid instead, and in fact, he was really searching for educated free-thinking women, the likely “message runners” and “spies” for the Kings Royalist Armies, to wipe out networks of runners, message takers or spies for the King. Documentary proof of a Witch in one English village seems to be the one and ONLY REAL “witch” Hopkins and Cromwell ever actually found.Below. A Historical statue of Oliver Cromwell.Cromwell's troops often attacked what they perceived as “corrupt” churches with idols or wrong religious imagery. Statues of saints and others were frequently shot at and smashed by Roundhead troopers. Ely Cathedral was “spared” however because Cromwell himself lived near there.The Roundhead soldiers Musket ball or round shot, still lodged in the side of a grave in the Eastern end of Norwich Cathedral, Norwich City, Norfolk, England. This is said to be from the Civil War (1642 - 1651) when in 1643 a mob of city folk broke into the Cathedral and removed pictures, books and statues, took them to the market place and burnt them. Cromwell's cavalry soldiers actually stabled their horses inside the Cathedral at one time during the Civil war in England. other churches had the heads or parts of Religious statues shot away by musket fire from Roundhead soldiers; some evidence and surviving proof of this can still be sometimes seen on English churches dating from this period down to this modern day.Cromwell finally died, and attempts to replace him with his brother, a “simpleton farmer” failed. Finaly, after so much genuine if badly miss placed effort to “Protect” England, the country invited Charles the Second, then living in exile in France, to return to England to take up his disgraced father's reign in his place.Feature story“The Escape of Good Will Jones”Will Jones, peasant “farmers son and general labourer in the fields”, turned out to be none other than the fleeing son of an English King. It proved a worthy disguise.The Royal Oak is the English oak tree within which the future King Charles II of England hid to escape the Roundheads following the Battle of Worcester in 1651.Location: Boscobel House, Shropshire, EnglandThe escape of Charles II from England in 1651 was a key episode in his life. The retreat started with the Royalist defeat at Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651 when Charles II was forced to flee for his very life.Charles the second was the king's son, who was forced to take the fight to save his life when his father lost the civil war with Cromwell and got captured and beheaded. Travelling down across Southwest England, he first tried to escape by boat from Lym Regis, only to fail and reland on dangerous English soil.Disguising himself next as a woman, the future King was actually stopped once by a suspicious Roundhead sergeant at Arms from Cromwell's Army. But he finally succeeded in fooling the man who let him go.A scene depicting Charles the II escaping from England and Oliver Cromwell's soldiers, now disguised as a woman….After Months of hiding and jumping into rivers, ditches, ponds and farmyards, hiding from Oliver Cromwell's soldiers, Upon arriving finaly in France, he had the devil of a job along with his eight travelling companions to finaly convince the authorities of France that he really was the Kings son and not an impostor. Weeks of being hiding in barns, horse stables, straw heaps and sleeping in forests, hiding from Roundhead soldiers sent by Cromwell to kill him, had left Charles II rather dirty, smelly, weatherbeaten and in an untidy, unkempt appearance, and at first he was mistaken for a tramp, a hobo, an impostor, until his travelling companions revealed their credentials and were able to finaly prove this really was the Royal escape party sent to France in exile from England by the (now-dead) King Charles 1st. He was so worn down, they hardly could recognize him….Charles II (1630 - 1685)In 1650, Charles did a deal with the Scots and was proclaimed king. With a Scottish army, he invaded England but was defeated by Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. He again escaped into exile and it was not until 1660 that he was invited back to England to reclaim his throne.map of the battle of Worcester in 1651 (Scot Wars).Piper Play “Blue Bonnet oer tha Border”.Click above, this should take you to listen to “Bluebonnets over the Border” played on the drums and bagpipes.Scotland supported Charles II attempt to defeat the English Commonwealth puritanical Protectorate” but on that occasion Charles the second was defeated.Re-Enactment by Battle of Worcester Society in England.Clash of Arms for King Charles Ii against the armies of Oliver Cromwell in Englands “Commonwealth Protectorate”. 1651.For much more about the battle of Worcester please click on the link hereBattle of Worcester (1651)Memorial Stone in Worcester.Above. Author Model of Sir Olivier Cromwell made and produced in France by the Author.Epilogue to Kings and Cromwell.Perhaps that old Puritan phrase “before Glory there be humility first” was true after all. Charles gained much true to life real experience in this “key” experience in his life, that gave him future skills when finaly he was able to return to England and become “thy Lawfull King Charles the Second”.Ironically it applied more to Charles than Cromwell….Whereas, all of Oliver Cromwells Commonwealth protectorate and his hard work, and so much sacrifice during the English Civil war, was undone, lost when the country had to return the Kings son, Charles II.Charles II was king of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was king of Scotland from 1649 until his deposition in 1651, and the king of England, Scotland and Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death.ADDENDUM added 25 08 2019.English Civil War TimelineAbove. An English civil war Arquebusier or Muscketman.Below is a comprehensive English Civil War timeline, featuring the events leading up to the war, the most important battles, and the events signalling the end of the war.13th June 1625King Charles MarriesKing Charles I married Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV of France at St Augustine’s Church, Canterbury, Kent. The marriage was not popular because she was a Catholic.May 1626Parliament DismissedParliament were unhappy with the activities of Charles’ chief minister, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham had led a failed mission to Cadiz and it appeared that he was planning to help the French to put down the Protestant Huguenot uprising. Parliament moved to have Buckingham dismissed from office. Charles retaliated by dismissing parliament.13th MarchParliament RecalledCharles needed money to finance the war with France and Spain and reluctantly recalled Parliament.1628Thirty-Nine ArticlesCharles re-issued the Thirty Nine Articles into the Church of England. This was seen as a move towards Rome and evidence of the King’s Catholic leanings.7th June 1628Petition of RightParliament formed a committee of grievances and prepared a Petition of Right which was presented to the King. The Petition was designed to protect subjects from any further taxation unauthorised by Parliament.Charles signed the document reluctantly.22nd August 1628Buckingham AssassinatedGeorge Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, was stabbed to death by naval lieutenant John Felton.March 1629The Three ResolutionsThere were outbursts in Parliament when the Petition of Right was debated and the doors were locked to keep royal guards out. The Speaker, who wanted to adjourn the proceedings, was held in his chair. Parliament passed three resolutions:1.That they would condemn any move to change religion.2. That they would condemn any taxation levied without Parliament’s authority.3. That any merchant who paid ‘illegal’ taxes betrayed the liberty of England.Charles dismissed Parliament.March 1629MPs ArrestedCharles arrested nine members of the Commons for offences against the state. Three were imprisoned. This action by the King made him more unpopular. The King defended his action by stating his belief in his own divine right saying that ‘Princes are not bound to give an account of their actions, but to God alone.’1632Thomas WentworthKnown as ‘Black Tom Tyrant’ by the Irish, Thomas Wentworth, Lord Deputy of Ireland, ruled Ireland with a firm hand. However, his rule alienated the planters of Ulster and antagonized the landowners of Connaught.August 1633Archbishop LaudAbove. Charles appointed William Laud as Archbishop of Canterbury. Laud was known to have Catholic leanings and Charles hoped that his appointment would help to stop the rise of the Puritans.Above. A Puritan Bishop or Religious Leader.18 June 1633King of ScotlandCharles was crowned King of Scotland at Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh.1634 – 1636Ship MoneyThis tax was paid by coastal towns to pay for the upkeep of the Royal Navy. In a bid to raise more money, Charles now imposed the tax on inland towns as well.June 1638Ship MoneyJohn Hampden challenged the King’s right to impose such a tax but he lost the case and the court ruled that the King was the only authority that could impose such a tax.February 1638National Covenant and Book of Common PrayerCharles demanded that the Book of Common Prayer be used in the Scottish Kirk. The Calvinist-dominated Scottish church resisted the move. There were riots and a National Covenant was formed which protested against any religious interference in Scotland by England. The Scottish Kirk was so incensed that it expelled the Bishops installed in Scotland by James I.1639Pacification of BerwickThomas Wentworth’s had led a scratch army against the Scots but had been defeated on the border and had been forced to sign a temporary truce at Berwick. Wentworth told the King that in order to raise an efficient army he must recall Parliament. Charles, who had enjoyed his eleven years tyranny, was forced to recall Parliament.13th April 1640Short ParliamentThe new Parliament refused to authorize any new taxes until the King agreed to abandon ‘ship money’. The King said that he would only abandon ship money if Parliament would grant him enough money to re-open the war with Scotland. Parliament refused and was dismissed after three weeks.1640Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell was elected to Parliament for the second time. He openly criticized Charles taxes and the level of corruption in the Church of England.Oct 1640ScotlandThomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, set out for the Scottish border with a makeshift army. However, the army mutinied and the Scots seized English land. The Scots demanded a daily rate be paid until a satisfactory treaty was put in place.21 Oct 1640Treaty of RiponThis treaty between Scotland and England allowed the Scots to stay in Durham and Northumberland until a final settlement was concluded.Nov 1640Long ParliamentCharles had to have money to pay for an efficient army with which to defeat the Scots. However, he couldn’t have the money until he agreed to Parliament’s demands which included an Act which stated that parliament should meet once every five years and the arrest for treason of Strafford. Charles had no choice but to comply.20 May 1641Wentworth BeheadedThomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, was executed on Tower Hill.Summer 1641Triennial ActThis act allowed Parliament to be summoned without royal command and declared ‘ship money’ to be illegal.Late Summer 1641Major Revolt in IrelandA revolt broke out in Ireland. Parliament critical of the King’s handling of matters in both Ireland and Scotland passed propositions that the Parliament and not the King should be responsible for the country’s defence.22 Oct 1641Catholic Rebellion in IrelandA Catholic rebellion broke out in Ulster and quickly spread across the country. Many Protestant settlers were driven from their homes and the rebellion became war.Below Cromwell at the Massacre of Drogheda in Ireland.Above. 11th September 1649 Oliver Cromwell storms the Irish town of Drogheda and murders all the people inside in a war crime massacre.Cromwell is today still a justifiably hated and despised figure in Ireland, and to the authors own opinion, entirely rightly so. His war campaign caused terrible suffering and massive loss of Irish life, and Disease followed immediately after the war, claiming even more lives.Wars of the Three KingdomsOliver Cromwell, who landed in Ireland in 1649 to re-conquer the country on behalf of the English Parliament. He left in 1650, having taken eastern and southern Ireland, passing his command to Henry Ireton.Date 15 August 1649 – 27 April 1653Decisive English Parliamentarian victoryEnglish Parliamentarian conquest of IrelandEnd of the Confederation of KilkennyAct for the Settlement of Ireland 1652BelligerentsIrish Catholic ConfederationEnglish RoyalistsEnglish ParliamentarianNew Model ArmyProtestant colonistsCommanders and leadersJames Butler, Marquess of Ormonde (Aug. 1649 – Dec. 1650)Ulick Burke, Earl of Clanricarde (Dec. 1650 – Apr. 1653) Oliver Cromwell (Aug. 1649 – May 1650)Henry Ireton (May 1650 – Nov. 1651)Charles Fleetwood (Nov. 1651 – Apr. 1653)StrengthUp to 60,000 incl. guerrilla fighters, but only around 20,000 at any one time ~30,000 New Model Army troops,~10,000 troops raised in Ireland or based there before the campaignCasualties and lossesUnknown;15,000–20,000 battlefield casualties,over 200,000–600,000 civilian casualties (from war-related violence, famine or disease)~50,000 deported as indentured labourers 8,000 New Model Army soldiers killed,~7,000 locally raised soldiers killedIrish Confederate Wars or Eleven Years' WarThe Cromwellian conquest of Ireland or Cromwellian war in Ireland (1649–53) refers to the conquest of Ireland by the forces of the English Parliament, led by Oliver Cromwell, during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Cromwell invaded Ireland with his New Model Army on behalf of England's Rump Parliament in August 1649.Following the Irish Rebellion of 1641, most of Ireland came under the control of the Irish Catholic Confederation. In early 1649, the Confederates allied with the English Royalists, who had been defeated by the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War. By May 1652, Cromwell's Parliamentarian army had defeated the Confederate and Royalist coalition in Ireland and occupied the country—bringing to an end the Irish Confederate Wars (or Eleven Years' War). However, guerrilla warfare continued for a further year. Cromwell passed a series of Penal Laws against Roman Catholics (the vast majority of the population) and confiscated large amounts of their land.Rifle Muskcetry Drill to prepare the weapon for firing.Below. Cynically named after the “12 Apostles” in the Puritan Bible, these were the wooden flacons of Rifle Musketry Gun powder worn by soldiers during the Civil War, to recharge their weapons.The Parliamentarian reconquest of Ireland was brutal, and Cromwell is still a hated figure in Ireland. The extent to which Cromwell, who was in direct command for the first year of the campaign, was responsible for the atrocities is debated to this day. Some historians argue that the actions of Cromwell were within the then-accepted rules of war, or were exaggerated or distorted by later propagandists; these claims have been challenged by others.The 1641 Rebellion in Ireland.Cromwells war crimes and murderous excess in Ireland gave the lie to any of his claims of Religious Holiness or Puritanism. Acts of Mass Murder and genocide were committed by the Army of Cromwell on a very large scale.Feature Article. Cold Case War Crimes Statements from Ireland in 1641 go Online.Witness statements from Irish rebellion and massacres of 1641 go onlineThis article is more than 9 years old'Ultimate' cold case analysis may heal ancient quarrels and offer genealogy and linguistics treasure trove. It may interest people, though also sadden them much…An illustration showing images from 1641 rising by Catholic rebels of an alleged massacre of Protestants during the Irish rebellion known as the Depositions. Photograph: Board of Trinity College/PAThe 31 handwritten volumes of embittered 17th-century testimony have been alternately hailed as the world's first war crimes investigation or damned as a prototype dodgy dossier packed with black political propaganda.Witness statements taken after the Irish rebellion and massacres of 1641 – that provided Oliver Cromwell with justification for his infamous slaughter of the defeated garrisons at Drogheda and Wexford – are being put online and will for the first time be cross-checked, where possible, for accuracy and exaggeration.In what has been dubbed as the ultimate in cold case reviews, historians, linguists, software specialists and the public are being invited to trawl through newly transcribed versions of the original documents held in Trinity College, Dublin.The 350-year-old writing is barely legible, the spelling across 19,000 pages of text erratic. The events they chronicle, however, poisoned Anglo-Irish relations for centuries, focusing attention on atrocities inflicted predominantly by dispossessed Irish Catholic rebels on Anglo-Scottish, Protestant settlers. The barbarities are still emblazoned on Orange Order banners and loyalist murals in Northern Ireland.As late as the 1930s the Irish government intervened to prevent publication of historical research about the accounts of arson, communal murders, mass drownings, lynchings and robberies because it was deemed to contain such incendiary allegations.Academics from Trinity College, Aberdeen and Cambridge Universities are now co-operating on a series of research projects that could not only help bring resolution to ancient quarrels but will open up a treasure house of genealogical, linguistic and census information.Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, one of the principal investigators at Trinity, believes that new language analysis methods will allow the documents to be explored "in a way we couldn't have done 10 or 15 years ago during the Troubles".The rebellion, which broke out in October 1641, was a significant moment in the formation of identity in Ireland, she told the Guardian. Estimates of the numbers killed vary from 4,000 to up to 200,000. It began in Ulster but spread across the country.The depositions were ordered by government commissioners, many of the Church of Ireland clergymen, who recorded the victims' testimonies."They did it in the hope of obtaining evidence against the rebels and also as a crude form of insurance claim against lost property," Ohlmeyer said. Cromwell's commissioners were still taking evidence in the 1650s and the records form an extraordinarily detailed portrait of contemporary life, occupations and possessions in every Irish county.The volumes were eventually donated to Trinity College in 1741, where they languished, rarely seen."In the 1930s a group of Irish scholars tried to publish them," Ohlmeyer said. "But the Irish government blocked them because it was too contentious."There are about 4,000 claims altogether. Nine times out of 10 they are not far off the mark because we have other sources we can check from the period. Now we can systematically analyze how accurate they were."There were clearly some atrocities such as the drowning of Protestants at Portadown where around 100 people lost their lives. That year was on record as one of the coldest winters and people died of starvation and cold."I was most moved by the account of one man who escaped to Dublin where he heard that his wife and children had been killed. He was reported to have died of grief. There's a lot of evidence from women, especially widows."The bloodletting was on both sides but Oliver Cromwell used this as justification for his [massacres at] Drogheda and Wexford. There were also a series of war crimes tribunals held by Cromwell in the 1650s."The multi-disciplinary project has been funded by both Irish and British research councils. Students of the Holocaust and more recent genocides – such as Rwanda and the Balkans – as well as groups supporting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, have been among early users of the resources. It is hoped to have all the documents available online by the end of this year.Another lead researcher, Barbara Fennell, a senior lecturer in language and linguistics at the University of Aberdeen, said: "These depositions tell us a lot about what English was like at the time."We hope to be able to synthesize some of the voices and make recordings of what they would have sounded like. They will be real echoes of the past."We know that different commissioners had different manners of speaking and writing. The language analysis software should be able to match up styles of speaking and writing ... so it may give us insights into any bias of evidence being introduced by a third party's influence. The historians say that Cromwell exaggerated the accounts to justify his actions. Is there any evidence of that as it was being written down?"These collections are unique in early modern times. It is like doing a cold case review in the sense that we are using modern technological advances to provide insights into old evidence."One of the 1641 depositionsPhillip Taylor late of the Portadowne in the County of Armagh husbandman ag sworne saith That about the xvj xxiiijth of October Last he this deponent was taken prisoner at Portadowne aforesaid by Toole mc Cann of now of Portadowne gent a notorious rebell and comander of a great number of rebells together with those Rebells his souldiers to the number of 100 persons or thereaboutes Att which tyme the Rebells first tooke the Castle and victualled the same, Then they assaulted and pillaged the towne & burned all the howses on the further side of the water And then the said Rebells drowned a great number of English protestants of men women and children in this deponents sight, some with their hands tyed on their backs And saith that the number of them that were soe then drowned amounted as this deponent was credibly tould and beleveth, to the number of 196 persons: And the same Rebells then alsoe threatened to shoote to death one Mr Tiffin a zealous protestant minister there & discharged a peece at him accordingly but as it pleasid god they mist him and at length he escaped from them: And further saith that the said Rebells kept this deponent in prison at portadowne aforesaid for the space of seven weekes and sett a horse Lock vpon his legg: but at length he gott a passe from the said Toole mc Cann & soe gotte away from them But whilest he stayd there many poore protestants were by the Rebells murthered in seuerall placs in about Loughgall aforesaid And they alsoe in that tyme stript of his clothes one Mr Jones a minister at Segoe nere Portadowne aforesaid: whoe afterwards escaped from them to the towne of Lisnegarvy: And the deponent hath credibly heard that one Mr ffullerton a minister & another in his company were alsoe murthered by the Rebells before the drowning of the protestants aforesaid And that the rebels signum dicti Phillippi Taylor .The impact of the war on the Irish population was unquestionably severe, although there is no consensus as to the magnitude of the loss of life. The war resulted in famine, which was worsened by an outbreak of bubonic plague. Estimates of the drop in the Irish population resulting from the Parliamentarian campaign range from 15 to 83 percent. The Parliamentarians also transported about 50,000 people as indentured labourers. Some estimates cover population losses over the course of the Conquest Period (1649–52) only, while others cover the period of the Conquest to 1653 and the period of the Cromwellian Settlement from August 1652 to 1659 together.November 1641Grand RemonstranceThis document, put together by Pym, listed parliament’s grievances against the King since his reign began.4 Jan 1642Charles Arrests five MPsCharles instructed his attorney-general to issue a charge of treason against one peer and five members of the Commons including Pym and Hampden. When Parliament refused to recognize the charge, Charles sent a troop of horsemen to make the arrests. However, Parliament had been warned and the five men had fled. this move by Charles was extremely unpopular and across the country, people declared themselves for Parliament and against Popery. Charles removed himself and his family from Whitehall to Hampton Court.Jan 1642Preparations for WarBelow. Queen Henrietta Maria of England, Charles the Firsts wife, was a Catholic.Charles sent his wife Henrietta Maria to the Continent to enlist Catholic support for his cause against Parliament. She was also to pawn the crown jewels to buy arms. Although both sides were now preparing for war, negotiations continued.March 1642Militia OrdinanceThis allowed Parliament to take control of the Militia, virtually the only armed body in the country.April 1642Charles – HullAbove. Foreign Mercenaries also fought in the English Civil War.Above. Prince Rupert who during the war won the key Port of Bristol for the King. Bristol was a key resupply point for the Royalist cause. Rupert was a German Prince and he hired german cavalry and soldiers to fight with him in the English Civil War.Charles tried to secure an arsenal of equipment left in Hull from his Scottish campaign. He was blocked by Sir John Hotham, with parliamentary and naval support and was forced to retire to York. Charles made his headquarters in York.June 1642Nineteen PropositionsThe Nineteen Propositions were issued by Parliament in the hopes of reaching a settlement with the King. They called for a new constitution recognizing their own supremacy; demanded that ministers and judges should be appointed by parliament, not by the King and also that all Church and military matters should come under the control of Parliament.22 Aug 1642Civil War – Standard raisedAbove. A Parliamentary “Roundhead” Pikemen.Charles raised his standard at Nottingham formally declaring war. However, both sides hoped that either war could be averted or that one decisive battle would put an end to the matter.7 Sept 1642Portsmouth falls to Parliament Another key resupply port for the Royalists was denied them.The vital port and fortress of Portsmouth surrendered to Parliament.23 Oct 1642Battle of EdgehillIn the early afternoon, Charles sent his army down the hill to meet the Parliamentary army commanded by Essex. On the royalist right was Prince Rupert who broke Essex’s left flank. In the centre, reinforcements arrived and they managed to push forward putting the lives of the King’s sons, Charles and James, in danger. The battle was a stalemate with neither side able to advance.12, 13 Nov 1642Small BattlesThe Royalists led by Prince Rupert managed to surprise and capture Brentford. However, the following day Rupert was surprised to find his route to the city of London barred at Turnham Green by Essex and an army of some 24,000. The Royalist commander decided to retire rather than fight.Jan 1643Royalist VictoriesThe Royalists had victories over Parliament at Braddock Down and Nantwich1643Skirmishes and BattlesParliament took Lichfield, Reading, Wakefield, Gainsborough,Royalists took Ripple Field, Tewkesbury, Chewton Mendip, Chalgrove Field, Landsdowne Hill, Bristol and Yorkshire. Re-took Lichfield and Gainsborough, and held Cornwall, Newark and Devises30 June 1643Battle of Adwalton Moorthe Royalist commander, William Cavendish decided to try and enclose the Parliamentarian army in Bradford. However, Fairfax, the Parliamentary commander decided that his army had a better chance of survival if they fought the Royalists in a battle rather than being surrounded and forced to surrender. The Royalists won the battle.13 July 1643Battle of Roundaway Down near the Wiltshire town of Devizes. Both Army opposing commanders were in fact personal friends from before the war. They each wrote one another letters on the eve of the battle.Feature.Commanders Hopton and Waller at Roundway Down (run away Down !!).Few conflicts are as bitter and divisive as a civil war when all of a society’s frustrations, its local envies, its town and regional rivalries and even family feuds and personal enmity come to the fore. It separates friends from one another, divides communities, and tears apart the social fabric that binds us with the intensity of the violence laying bare the hatred we often have for our neighbour, a hatred that penetrates deep into the human psyche and transcends any fear or loathing that we may have for a stranger or a foreign enemy. Yet for all the bloodshed and all the cruelties inflicted it also exposes the emotional trauma of people once so close but who now stand as mortal enemies in a life and death struggle.One of the letters written between Commander Hopton and Waller the night before the battle of Roundway Down. They had been lifelong friends, now Religion and Politics had made them enemies.This was none more so than in the fratricidal struggle that beset the West Country during the English Civil War as men from Cornwall and Devon fought those from Somerset and Wiltshire.The Royalist Army in the West Country was smaller than that of its enemy but it was well-disciplined, well-organized, and well-led. Its cavalry commanded by Sir Bevil Grenville and its Cornish Infantry were some of the best and most feared in either army.The Royalists were the first to charge but there was no counter-charge. After two more charges, the Parliamentary cavalry had fled. Waller then turned his attention to the Parliamentary infantry who stood firm until a force led by Hopton attacked them from behind. Caught between two Royalist armies the majority of Parliamentarian soldiers simply fled from the battlefield giving the Royalists victory.DETAIL OF ROUND WAY DOWN. (Runaway Down).At the first major battle fought between the opposing forces at Landsdowne Hill, the Royalist Army had temporarily halted the Parliamentarian advance but at a terrible cost to itself. In a headlong charge uphill the Royalist cavalry routed the Parliamentary infantry but it was a pyrrhic victory. Of the 1,000 men who made the charge 700 were lost including Sir Bevil Grenville who died later of his wounds.Before long, however, the superiority of the Parliamentary Army began to tell and the Royalists were forced to withdraw to the unfortified town of Devizes where they were soon enveloped and besieged. Unknown to the Parliamentarians however Prince Maurice who had replaced Sir Bevil as Commander of the Royalist Cavalry had escaped the siege and ridden with haste to the King’s capital at Oxford to beg for reinforcements.On 13 July 1642, in a coordinated attack, the Royalist Army broke out from Devizes at the same time as Prince Maurice with 1,500 cavalries assaulted the Parliamentary Army from the rear. The attack came as a complete surprise and the subsequent Battle of Roundway Down soon became a rout and the Parliamentary Army which lost 600 of its 4,500 men killed and a further 1,000 captured was utterly destroyed as an effective fighting force and in Royalist propaganda, the battle soon became known as Runaway Down.The Commander of Royalist forces in the West Country was Sir Ralph Hopton. It was he who had first rallied Cornwall in the King’s cause and had advanced with his newly formed army into Devon but for all his early success he remained a troubled man for his opponent in the increasingly bloody conflict was his oldest and dearest friend, Sir William Waller.Both men had known each other since childhood, both were local landowners, both were professional soldiers, and both were Puritans who attended the same Church and they sat together as Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. Indeed, they were so similar in so many respects that it was difficult to tell them apart.Throughout the turbulent years before the outbreak of war and in the many controversies that divided Parliament, they shared similar views. They had both voted in favour of the Grand Remonstrance (a list of grievances drawn up during the King’s personal rule) but they parted company when the Puritan faction within Parliament tried to pass a Militia Bill that would wrest control of the army from the King making them in effect the supreme power in the land.Parliaments increasing hostility towards the King and the breakdown of deference saw Sir Ralph support his attempt to arrest his leading opponents in the House of Commons.When the King raised his Standard at Nottingham in July 1642, and war became inevitable he found that despite his strong Puritan beliefs and objections to the King’s religious policies he could not take up arms against his Sovereign.Lifelong friends Sir Ralph Hopton and Sir William Waller were now to be enemies. During the month leading up to their first major confrontation at the Battle of Landsdown Hill, Sir Ralph wrote plaintively to his oldest friend requesting a meeting.The two friends had sadly been divided by bloody civil war and were never to meet again.Sir William’s response was to decline the request but in heartfelt words that remain one of the most famous examples of the agony that is a war that makes enemies of friends:To my noble friend Sir Ralph Hopton at WellsSirThe experience I have of your worth and the happiness I have enjoyed in your friendship are wounding considerations when I look at this present distance between us. Certainly, my affection to you is so unchangeable that hostility itself cannot violate my friendship, but I must be true wherein the cause I serve. That great God, which is the searcher of my heart, knows with what a sad sense I go about this service, and with what a perfect hatred I detest this war without an enemy; but I look upon it as an Opus Domini and that is enough to silence all passion in me. The God of peace in his good time will send us peace. In the meantime, we are upon the stage and must act those parts that are assigned to us in this tragedy. Let us do so in a way of honour and without personal animosities.Whatever the outcome I will never willingly relinquish the title of Your most affectionate friend.William WallerFollowing the defeat of the Royalist cause, Sir Ralph Hopton fled to the Continent with the young Prince Charles. He died of fever in Bruges in 1651.Sir William Waller continued to serve as a Member of Parliament but became increasingly disillusioned with the new Commonwealth and in his later years, he was to work tirelessly for the restoration of the Monarchy. He died in 1668.The famous letter of 16 June 1643 was the last known communication between the two men and they were never to meet again.Map of Roundway Down battle.Roundway Down near Devizes Wiltshire.The battlefield today.Above. Roundway down re-enactment.Not long after the shattering defeat at Roundway Down the vital port of Bristol also fell to the Royalist Prince Rupert of the Rhine after what been a bitter and prolonged siege.The Parliamentarians were now forced to reinforce their Western Army with troops from London who unhappy at being forced to fight so far from home were to prove both uncooperative and often reluctant to engage.The war in the West Country was to be bitter and hard-fought one but despite repeated Parliamentarian attempts to wrest it from their control it was to remain a Royalist stronghold until the final months of the war.Aug 1643Solemn League and CovenantThis document swore to preserve the Church of Scotland and reform the religion of England and Ireland ‘according to the word of God and the example of the best-reformed churches’ and to protect ‘the rights and liberties of parliaments’. It was accepted by the English Parliament in September.20 Sept 1643First Battle of NewburyEssex’s force of tired wet and hungry Parliamentarians intended to rest at Newbury, a town sympathetic to the Parliamentarians. However, Rupert had arrived there first and Essex had no choice but to fight.Essex moved the Parliamentarians before daybreak and secured the ‘Round Hill’, just south of Newbury. The surrounding countryside was crisscrossed with lanes and hedgerows which offered excellent cover for the foot soldiers but was quite unsuitable for horse cavalry. Parliament won the battleJune 1644Battle of Marston MoorThis was the largest single battle of the Civil War involving 45,000 men. Although the Royalists were outnumbered, they decided to fight. They were defeated by Parliament. For the first time since the Civil War had begun Rupert’s cavalry were beaten by a Parliamentarian cavalry charge.27 October 1644Second Battle of NewburyThe Royalists were sandwiched between two Parliamentary forces. Each time Parliament made some gain they were beaten back by the Royalists. The battle, which lasted all day, ended in a draw.14th June 1645Battle of NasebyThe Parliamentarians broke their siege on Oxford and forced the Royalists into battle. Initially, the Royalists took up a defensive stance but later the order to attack was given. The battle lasted just three hours and saw the death of most of the Royalist foot soldiers. It was a decisive victory for Parliament. Charles fled the battlefield as soon as it was apparent that he had lost both the battle and the war.6th May 1646Surrender to the ScotsCharles, I surrendered to the Scots24th June 1646SurrenderOxford, Charles I’s capital surrendered to Parliament30th January 1647Charles I ImprisonedThe Scots handed Charles over to parliament. He was imprisoned in Holdenby House, NorthamptonshireNovember 1647Putney DebatesThis was a series of debates held by different Parliamentarian forces to try to decide on a new constitution.November 1647Charles EscapedCharles, I escaped imprisonment and fled to Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of WightDecember 1648Charles RecapturedCharles was recaptured and sent to Windsor Castle6th January 1649Rump ParliamentThe Rump Parliament began. All members of Parliament who were in favour of negotiating with the King had been expelled. The Rump Parliament gave parliament the right to make new Acts of Parliament without the king’s approval20th January 1649Trial of King Charles beganKing Charles was tried for treason by a High Court of Justice specially set up for the trial. The court found Charles guilty and sentenced him to death.30 Jan 1649Execution of the KingCharles the First was trialled by the Puritan parliamentary Victor Oliver Cromwell and found guilty of treason against England. The sentence even today for high treason in England remains the death penalty.King Charles, I was executed by beheading, outside Whitehall Palace, London. He was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.