Countdown to Conflict: The English Civil War
London 1558 -1666 gallery

London 1558 -1666 gallery

The power of kings

Starting Point: ‘Widening Horizons’

King James I, father of Charles I

1.  What does James say Kings have the power to do?

He said Kings have the power of life or death of their subjects, he said Kings can decide who lives and who doesn’t.

2.  Name three things James was ill-equipped to deal with:

(Any 3 of the below)

1.  Argumentative English parliament

2.  Galloping inflation

3.  Government corruption

4.  Religious conflict

3.  How many people were killed during the civil war?

80,000

4.  Find the picture of the execution of Charles I in the Civil War case. Describe what is happening in the picture (e.g. Who can you see? What are they doing? Do they look happy / sad?)

5.  In this picture, does the king ‘have power over life and death’? Who does have power over these things in the picture?

6.  Is the picture saying the same thing as (reinforcing) the quote? Explain your answer.

Puritans and Anglicans

7.  Look at the phrases below. Draw an arrow to connect each statement to the picture you think it refers to.

No decorations in church / Followers believe that the king is head of the Church
Priests wear simple dull coloured clothes / Services are based on reading the Bible
Churches are highly decorated / Followers believe the only head of the church is God
Priests wear bright, elaborate robes / Services are based on tradition and ceremony

A Puritan church An Anglican Church

8.  Do you think the followers of these two churches got on with each other? Why?

Fighting methods and equipment

9.  Firing a Musket was a complicated and lengthy task. Look at the different steps involved and see if you can put them in order (number 1 – 7).

Separate the two parts of the bandolier / 1
Light your match / 5
Fire / 7
Use a rod to compact the ball onto the powder and wadding / 4
Load the gunpowder / 3
Pull back the trigger / 6
Load some paper as wadding / 2

10.  How long do you think it would have taken to fire one shot?

11.  Musket men were one type of soldier who fought during The English Civil War. Using the displays, your own knowledge and research when you get home, find three more:

1.  ______

2.  ______

3.  ______

Study Cromwell’s death mask. What do you think his dying thoughts might have been? Write them in the thought bubble


The Restoration of the King, 1660

12.  Look at the images of Charles II on the commemorative mugs. Why would Cromwell’s supporters particularly disapprove of his appearance?

13.  Study the large painting celebrating the restoration of the king. Rich imagery was used to raise the popularity of the monarchy. List some examples of this from the painting.

·  ______

·  ______

·  ______

15. a. Go to the ‘Homes and Interiors’ section.

The 1640s screen at the back commemorates the Civil War. Would this have been owned by a supporter of Cromwell or the king?

15. b. How can you tell? (Describe at least three images)

Leisure in Stuart London

16. Go to ‘The world’s a stage’ section.

Make a sketch of the Tudor/Stuart theatre to the left and label some of its features.