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It was during the reign of James I in 1605 that the “Gunpowder Plot” was  

It was during the reign of James I in 1605 that the “Gunpowder Plot” was  

discovered consisting of barrels of gunpowder in the cellar of Parliament allegedly set to be ignited by Catholics to murder the Protestant James I and all of Parliament at an official opening.  Guy Fawkes and others were executed for this plot, and British Protestants commemorate this event annually on November 5th, though the Oxford Dictionary of World History notes that it has been suggested that Protestant Earl Robert Cecil (who helped install James I to the throne) “manufactured the plot.”

discovered.  It consisted of barrels of gunpowder in the cellar of Parliament allegedly set to be ignited by Catholics to murder the Protestant James I and all of Parliament at an official assembly.  Guy Fawkes and others were executed for this plot, and British Protestants commemorate this event annually on November 5th, though the Oxford Dictionary of World History notes that it has been suggested that Protestant Earl Robert Cecil (who helped install James I to the throne) “manufactured the plot.”<ref>Oxford Dictionary of World History, p. 262 (paperback ed. 2001).</ref>

 

Charles I became the king in 1625 and conflicts worsened between King Charles I and Parliament.  Charles I needed funding in 1628, but Parliament refused unless Charles signed the Petition of Right.  This important document would have limited the powers of the king in four significant ways.  The king could no longer imprison people without good reason, or force people to house soldiers in their private homes, or impose taxes without the consent of Parliament, or impose martial (military) law during peacetime.  The king’s power would be greatly weakened by this Petition.  Charles accepted the Petition, but refused to abide by it.

Charles I became the king in 1625 and conflicts worsened between King Charles I and Parliament.  Charles I needed funding in 1628, but Parliament refused unless Charles signed the Petition of Right.  This important document would have limited the powers of the king in four significant ways.  The king could no longer imprison people without good reason, or force people to house soldiers in their private homes, or impose taxes without the consent of Parliament, or impose martial (military) law during peacetime.  The king’s power would be greatly weakened by this Petition.  Charles accepted the Petition, but refused to abide by it.

But Prynne, even with his ears cropped, continued to write pamphlets.  In 1637 he was further punished by branding the remainder of his ears.  In 1640, the Long Parliament limited the absolute power of the monarch and freed Prynne.  He was then even elected to Parliament in 1648.  But in December 1648 the English army led by the Puritan Colonel Thomas Pride) held a coup that excluded more than 100 Charles-friendly members of Parliament from the House of Commons.  That was known as “Pride’s Purge.”  The remaining “rump” Parliament then assembled without these excluded members, and this allowed the execution of Charles I.  With all the fighting and religious persecution, it is easy to see why some Puritans decided to come to America during this time rather than stay in England!

But Prynne, even with his ears cropped, continued to write pamphlets.  In 1637 he was further punished by branding the remainder of his ears.  In 1640, the Long Parliament limited the absolute power of the monarch and freed Prynne.  He was then even elected to Parliament in 1648.  But in December 1648 the English army led by the Puritan Colonel Thomas Pride) held a coup that excluded more than 100 Charles-friendly members of Parliament from the House of Commons.  That was known as “Pride’s Purge.”  The remaining “rump” Parliament then assembled without these excluded members, and this allowed the execution of Charles I.  With all the fighting and religious persecution, it is easy to see why some Puritans decided to come to America during this time rather than stay in England!

After defeating Charles I, Oliver Cromwell initially founded the “Commonwealth” (1649-53), which was a republican form of government.  But like other future revolutionaries, Cromwell then decided simply to rule as a military dictator (but not a "king"), which he did until his death in 1658.  Most revolutions simply replace one form of dictatorship with another.  The shining exception was the American Revolution, as its leader (George Washington) voluntarily gave up his power for the good of the people.

After defeating Charles I, Oliver Cromwell initially founded the “Commonwealth” (1649-53), which was a republican form of government.  But like other future revolutionaries, Cromwell then decided simply to rule as a military dictator (but not a “king”), which he did until his death in 1658.  Most revolutions simply replace one form of dictatorship with another.  The shining exception was the American Revolution, as its leader (George Washington) voluntarily gave up his power for the good of the people.

To this day Cromwell is loved by many in England, but hated by others.  The Irish, which suffered from his brutality in Ireland, vilify Cromwell.  Royalists, or those who love the English monarchy, also hated Cromwell and even dug up his corpse to behead him once the monarchy regained power.  The anger against Cromwell was so great that his severed head was displayed outside Westminster Abbey for over 20 years, from 1661 to 1685, and the remainder of his corpse thrown into a disgraceful pit.

To this day Cromwell is loved by many in England, but hated by others.  The Irish, which suffered from his brutality in Ireland, vilify Cromwell.  Royalists, or those who love the English monarchy, also hated Cromwell and even dug up his corpse to behead him once the monarchy regained power.  The anger against Cromwell was so great that his severed head was displayed outside Westminster Abbey for over 20 years, from 1661 to 1685, and the remainder of his corpse thrown into a disgraceful pit.