The Civil War
Over the space of 20 years England experienced civil war, regicide, a republic and military rule. At the heart of all these events was Parliament.
How did the institution which had existed at the will of the King come to overthrow and execute him and then conduct a 10-year experiment in rule by the Commons alone, without King or House of Lords? And why by 1660 were most people ready and eager to go back to the old system?
Explore the Parliamentary collections for images and documents about the Civil War
- The Petition of Right
- House of Commons Journal
- Speaker Lenthall defends Parliament
- The Earl of Strafford
- List of visitors to the Earl of Strafford
- Message of the House of Commons
- Petition of the Earl of Strafford
- Letter from Charles I
- Strafford Act of Attainder
- Official Record of the Trial of Charles I
- Death Warrant of King Charles I
Listen to podcast on the events leading up to the trial and execution of Charles I
Parallels between the Other House, recommended in the Humble Petition and Advice of 1657, and current proposals for the reform of the House of Lords
Some of the many books written about the 17th century civil wars
Find out about the most dramatic period of Parliament's history, when it executed the King and established a republic