The English Civil War

© Chipping Campden History Society 2018 1

Between 1642–1651 the British people were at war amongst themselves. The King,

Charles I and Parliament were unable to settle their differences peacefully. Charles I

believed in the ‘Divine Right of Kings’ claiming he was only answerable to God, and

not to any power on earth. He believed he could reign however he wished, including

raising taxes and ruling without Parliament.

On 22 August 1642 the King raised his standard at Nottingham beginning the English

Civil War. The first major battle on 23rd October 1642, was at Edgehill, just 16 miles

away from Chipping Campden.

The supporters of the King were known as Royalists or Cavaliers. The Parliamentarians,

sometimes called Roundheads, opposed them. During the war, communities and

even families were divided by their loyalties. Battles took place all over England,

affecting towns and the countryside.

Chipping Campden, was Royalist as the Lord of the Manor was Lord Edward Noel, Sir

Baptist Hick’s son-in-law and supporter of the King. The town saw action throughout the

war as it lay close to a crossroads between 2 busy routes.

Route 1 – linked the Parliamentarian strongholds of Gloucester, Warwick and Coventry.

Route 2 – linked the Royalist strongholds of Oxford, Worcester and Wales.

Both sides occupied the town at different times, demanding shelter, food and supplies.

In 1643, Royalist troops arrived in the town. Officers moved into the manor house

(Campden House), next to St. James’ Church, while regular soldiers billeted themselves

with the townsfolk. In 1644, the town suffered fighting in the streets, as Parliamentarian

soldiers seized Campden, killing or taking prisoner the Royalist troops. By the end of the

year, Campden was back under Royalist control. The town must have begun to suffer

from being forced to house and feed so many soldiers.

CLASS FACT FILE

The English Civil War

© Chipping Campden History Society 2018 2

In 1645, the Royalist troops were ordered to leave Chipping Campden and to burn

down Campden House that Sir Baptist Hicks had built, barely 30 years before. The

Royalists did not want the Parliamentarians to be able to make use of the house, which

would have provided a strong fortress. It was recorded at the time, that the King’s

nephew Prince Rupert and Royalist troops marched –

“over Broadway hill by the light of Campden House”.

The house ablaze must have burned brightly indeed. How must poor Lady Juliana

Noel have felt, to lose the beautiful house her father had built and left for her?

In 1646, the Royalists were defeated in battle at nearby Stow-on-the-Wold and on 30

January 1649, King Charles I was executed in London by order of Parliament, for

treason. War continued between King Charles II and Parliament, finally ending with a

Parliamentarian victory at the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651. Charles II

escaped into exile in Europe and Britain entered into a period of rule called The

Commonwealth, under the Roundhead commander Oliver Cromwell. However, in

1660 Charles II was invited back and restored as monarch.

Glossary

Civil War A war between people of the same country.

Parliament A group representing the people of the country to make laws and

policies.

Cavaliers Meaning ‘horsemen’. They supported the King and often had long

hair and fancy clothes.

Roundheads Supported Parliament and were often Puritans who cut their hair

short, making their heads look round.

Puritans Protestant Christians who wanted to purify churches and religious

practices to make them very plain and simple.

Executed Put to death, by order.

Treason The crime of betraying your country.

Exile Banished from your own country.

Monarch A ruler who reigns over a kingdom or empire, usually a King, Queen

or Emperor.

The English Civil War

© Chipping Campden History Society 2018 3

Write a Newspaper Report

Read the Fact File and Chipping Campden News Bulletins to give you some story ideas

and write your own newspaper report about an event that happened in Chipping

Campden during the English Civil War.

Imagine what it might have been like, living in the town or as a visiting soldier.

Newspaper Report Checklist

• Headline - make it eye-catching

• Intro paragraph

• Sub-headings

• Events in chronological order

• Use of word-play

• Alliteration

• Action verbs

• Write in the third person

• Give facts not opinions

• Use quotes as if from an eye witness – don’t forget speech marks

• Give pictures a caption

• Summarise the story in the last paragraph

CLASS ACTIVITY KS2 Curriculum points: English - Newspaper Report History – nationally significant event beyond living memory

WHO?

WHEN?

WHERE?

WHAT

WHY?

The English Civil War

© Chipping Campden History Society 2018 4

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Caption:

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By: _______________________________________