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The National Archives
Education
Civil War
Civil War > Why did Britain become a republic? > New government > Source 3
A poem from May 1649 commenting on the new situation in England
(Catalogue ref: SP 9/246/21)
This comes from a pamphlet about the leading figures behind the trial and execution of Charles I.
Those mentioned in the poem include Oliver Cromwell (Nol) and Colonel Pride, who led Pride’s Purge of Parliament (Pryde).
From 1646-9 support for Charles I increased across the country. It was not so much that Charles was loved. It was more that rule by Parliament’s County Committees and the New Model Army was even harsher than the king’s rule.
Most people wanted stability, an end to war and an end to high taxes to pay for the army. As a result, most MPs tried to reach a settlement with Charles. This was unacceptable to some radical (extreme) MPs and to the army commanders. They put Charles on trial and he was executed.
The trial and execution of Charles in January 1649 were among the most effective things he ever did. He was seen as standing up to an unpopular minority.
After his death many speeches, writings and drawings praised him. However, this did little good. His son, Charles, was not restored as king until 1660.
