Why did people go to war in 1642?

Case study 1: 1637-39

The Civil War broke out in 1642, but there were many years of tension leading up to this event. How does this selection of sources from 1637-39 help us to understand why people went to war?

Sources:

1. Order by Charles on playing cards & dice, 1638

2. Complaint about ‘ship money’, 1639

3. Picture of a protest in Edinburgh, 1637

4. Announcement from Charles to the Scots, 1639

5. Letter from a man in the army against Scotland

6. A rude poem, May 1639

7. Informers’ report to Archbishop Laud, 1639

8. Discussion on the situation with Parliament, 1639

 

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