English Civil War
Template:War
The English Civil Wars were a series of conflicts fought between supporters of the English Monarchy, personified by Charles I of England and his son, Charles II, and the English Parliament, principally led by Oliver Cromwell, who disputed the absolute authority of the Monarchy over the country, and by extension, Parliament itself.
History
After two periods of conflict (1642-1646, 1648-1649), Charles I was executed in 1649, and England became a republican Commonwealth ruled by Cromwell. The Kings son, Charles, returned from exile in the Dutch Republic and gathered an army from Scotland, Wales and Gloucestershire. Despite his military strength, the would-be King's army was defeated at the Battle of Worcester, by Cromwell much larger force routed the Royalists. Charles escaped via St. Martin's Gate after the Earl of Cleveland led a diversionary cavalry charge.
Aftermath
Charles evaded Parlimentarian scouts and eventually escaped to France by boat, where he lived out most of his exile in Breda. In the meantime, the remaining Monarchists began undermining Cromwell's control with the aid of one General George Monck, who kept Charles abreast with information by letter.
Cromwell dissolved Parliament in 1653, and was soon invited to be appointed Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. By 1658, however, Cromwell was dead and his son had succeeded him.
In the ensuing chaos, Monck took control of London, and wrote to Charles that Parliament would restore him to the throne if he granted amnesty to his father's enemies. This he did, and he returned to England, where he undid many of Cromwell's Puritan policies.
During his coronation at Westminster Abbey, Charles II noticed Monck speaking to a man holding an Apple of Eden, but had to bow to receive his crown before he saw anything more.
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