Second English Civil War (1648)
While the Scottish Covenanters played a significant role in the Parliamentarian victory, they switched sides for the second and third civil wars and sided with the king. Charles negotiated a secret treaty with Scotland; he promised church reform in return for a Scottish invasion of England. The Scots would restore the monarch to his throne, and for his part, Charles would establish Presbyterianism for three years. The Covenanters made good on their promise and attacked England in the summer of 1648. This invasion occurred at the same time as a number of Royalist uprisings.
Before the Scottish invasion, a group of unpaid Parliamentarians switched sides. At the Battle of St Fagan’s on 8 May 1648, these new Royalists were comprehensively beaten by Fairfax and a detachment of the New Model Army. Fairfax only had 2,700 men against 8,000 enemies, but his army was better equipped and well trained, so they easily defeated their opponents. By July, the rebel leaders surrendered to Cromwell.
In Northern England, John Lambert successfully put down various Royalist uprisings, and his victories meant the Scots had to travel through Carlisle to invade England. The Scots engaged Lambert and Cromwell at the Battle of Preston on 17 August 1648. It was a disastrous day for the Covenanters as its 9,000 men were strung out along the road. They were routed by the Parliamentarians with 2,000 soldiers killed and several thousand captured. Cromwell’s force lost fewer than 100 men.
This defeat marked the end of the brief Second Civil War. Several leading Royalists from the first conflict vowed not to take arms again which weakened the king’s cause. Parliament brutally punished those who were involved; the likes of Sir Charles Lucas, the Duke of Hamilton and Colonel John Poyer were executed. Charles’ conduct infuriated the Army, so it marched on Parliament and arrested 45 of its Members. Only 75 Members were allowed in, and this Rump Parliament was tasked with putting Charles on trial for treason.
King Charles I was found guilty of high treason and referred to as a tyrant. He was beheaded at the Palace of Whitehall on 30 January 1649. His eldest son, who was in Jersey at the time, was proclaimed Charles II.