The Importance Of Pride's Purge In England
Erica Xin
Mr.Engle
Survery of American Literature
10/8/2015
Pride's Purge The first and earliest use of the term "purge" was the English Civil War's Pride's Purge. Pride's Purge is arguably the only military coup in English history, which had a great impact on England's governing system. During the mid 1600s, the parliamentarians who didn't support the Grandees in the New Model Army, which included the royalists, the House of Lords and the Levellers, were purged under the command of Thomas Pride who had an attempt to punish and King Charles. This eventually led to the execution of King Charles and the abolishment of monarchy in England for a period of time. Despite the increasing chaos and turmoil, the execution of King Charles I and the
royalists wasn't definitely necessary for England's future development as the Rump Parliament had claimed; Instead, it could be seen as an unilateral seize of power. During the 1630s, King Charles established obscure policies on taxation causing resentment among the citizens of England, and therefore in order to prevent upheavals and rebellions, many members of the Parliament agreed to arrest the moderate members who supported King Charles I. Finally in January, 1649, King Charles' trial was scheduled, leading to his death.
The Parliament, which now only consists of MPs who supported the execution of the king, charged King Charles of treason upon the nation. In response, King Charles I protested to the Court, "For if power, without law, may make law, may alter the fundamental laws of the kingdom, then it is not my case alone, it is the freedom and rights of the people of England and... I must justly stand for their liberties."
Mr.Engle
Survery of American Literature
10/8/2015
Pride's Purge The first and earliest use of the term "purge" was the English Civil War's Pride's Purge. Pride's Purge is arguably the only military coup in English history, which had a great impact on England's governing system. During the mid 1600s, the parliamentarians who didn't support the Grandees in the New Model Army, which included the royalists, the House of Lords and the Levellers, were purged under the command of Thomas Pride who had an attempt to punish and King Charles. This eventually led to the execution of King Charles and the abolishment of monarchy in England for a period of time. Despite the increasing chaos and turmoil, the execution of King Charles I and the
royalists wasn't definitely necessary for England's future development as the Rump Parliament had claimed; Instead, it could be seen as an unilateral seize of power. During the 1630s, King Charles established obscure policies on taxation causing resentment among the citizens of England, and therefore in order to prevent upheavals and rebellions, many members of the Parliament agreed to arrest the moderate members who supported King Charles I. Finally in January, 1649, King Charles' trial was scheduled, leading to his death.
The Parliament, which now only consists of MPs who supported the execution of the king, charged King Charles of treason upon the nation. In response, King Charles I protested to the Court, "For if power, without law, may make law, may alter the fundamental laws of the kingdom, then it is not my case alone, it is the freedom and rights of the people of England and... I must justly stand for their liberties."