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==Politics and regicide==

==Politics and regicide==

Now that Parliament was in full control of England its members began to argue amongst themselves. Most Members of Parliament were [[Presbyterian]]s, and were willing to share power with the king. Presbyterians also had strong feelings on religion. They disapproved of other puritan groups such as the [[Anabaptist]]s, [[Religious Society of Friends|Quakers]] and [[Congregational church|Congregationalists]] and wanted them suppressed. The other major group were called the Independents. They tended to be followers of the religious groups that the Presbyterians wanted to suppress. The Independents argued for a policy of religious toleration. Some Independents also wanted to bring an end to the [[monarchy]].

Now that Parliament was in full control of England its members began to argue amongst themselves. Most Members of Parliament were [[Presbyterian]]s, and were willing to share power with the king. Presbyterians also had strong feelings on religion. They disapproved of other puritan groups such as the [[Anabaptist]]s, [[Religious Society of Friends|Quakers]] and [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and wanted them suppressed. The other major group were called the Independents. They tended to be followers of the religious groups that the Presbyterians wanted to suppress. The Independents argued for a policy of religious toleration. Some Independents also wanted to bring an end to the [[monarchy]].

The Independents had a strong following in the New Model Army and had the support of Cromwell. Afraid of their power, Presbyterian members of the House of Commons now tried to disband the army. The soldiers were furious, especially as Parliament made no effort to pay them the wages that were due to them. The army decided to take action and the Presbyterians were expelled from Parliament. With the Independents now in control, it was decided to put Charles I on trial as a [[Treason|traitor]]. In 1649 Charles was found guilty and executed by beheading outside his Whitehall Palace.

The Independents had a strong following in the New Model Army and had the support of Cromwell. Afraid of their power, Presbyterian members of the House of Commons now tried to disband the army. The soldiers were furious, especially as Parliament made no effort to pay them the wages that were due to them. The army decided to take action and the Presbyterians were expelled from Parliament. With the Independents now in control, it was decided to put Charles I on trial as a [[Treason|traitor]]. In 1649 Charles was found guilty and executed by beheading outside his Whitehall Palace.