Why did Parliament win the Civil War?

Victory in the first Civil War (1642 – 1646) for parliament is often given over to Cromwell’s leadership (despite the fact that he did NOT command the Army during that time) however the conflict was never a fore-gone conclusion and 1643 (the year often known as the nadir of the parliament cause) ended with the scales firmly tipping in the kings favour. So how did parliament manage to win? Here are some simple answers.

Resources: Parliament controlled the capital throughout the war; this was a divisive factor in its eventual victory. London was the trade centre of England, the port of London the busiest in the country and it was also the wealthiest city. Many of the other wealthy merchant cities and manufacturing centres remained loyal to parliament including Norwich and all the major ports (apart from Bristol which was in Royalist hands between 1643 - 1645) this meant that parliament had tight control over much of the trade in and out of the land, which in turn meant more money from taxes for the war effort. The main armouries of Hull and the Tower along with most of the countries munitions factories also stayed in parliament hands which allowed them to equip men faster and with better equipment than the Kings army. Pay was also more regular in the army of parliament which meant a lower desertion rate.

The Navy: Charles I had known the importance of a good navy and had implemented the Ship Tax to fund the growth of his fleet. However much of this tax revenue was spent either on the lavish embellishments of one ship (the Royal Sovereign) or diverted to buy works of art for the royal court. At the outbreak of hostilities the Navy remained loyal to parliament. This in turn meant that they could control the coastal waters and limit the amount of supplies and foreign troops entering the country for the king.

The New Model Army: The remodelling of the army of Parliament during winter quarters of 1644 was a decive factor in its eventual victories over the King. Although the royalist army also underwent a reshuffle at this point it was to a much milder extent and still contained much of the in fighting that had populated it before. The New Models ethic of promotion through merit rather than good birth meant that high born officers with no experience were replaced with those of talent, leadership skills and experience whatever rank of birth they came from. This in turn meant a better managed & more disciplined fighting force in the field.

Allies: In 1644 Parliament signed the Solemn League and Covenant with the Scots Presbyterian’s who in turn promised their aid against the King on condition that the Scottish system of church government was adopted in England. The sudden appearance of allies on the scene proved crucial for the roundheads in securing the North as the King now had two enemies to fight.

Conclusion: Like the American Civil War hundreds of years later the odds were stacked in favour of one side from the start. However solidarity of cause, good leadership and more than a little luck also played its part in bringing about a victorious conclusion for Parliament.

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