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Strengths of the Parliamentarians

Military
1. Creation of New Model Army 1645
  1. Unstoppable at Battle of Naseby June 1645, outmans Charles' entire army 14,000 to 7,500
  2. Reputation of most successful army in the war
  3. Well-drilled, disciplined, fast moving force- had a training manual to ensure uniformity
  4. After the ascendancy of War Party a force of 22,000 men created under command of Fairfax, Cromwell controlled cavalry, Skippon leader of Trained Bands
  5. Financed by fixed allocation of £53,000 from monthly assessments, supplemented by Royalist fines
2. Had the loyalty of ship-money fleet, which made the passage of munitions from Europe to Royalists difficult
3. Pym provided manpower by allowing parliament to conscript
4. Lower status soldiers religious zeal, bringing motivation and energy, making them most effective
  1. E.g Cromwell, Puritan zealot: Ironsides defeat Prince Rupert at Marston Moor.
    1. zealot- uncompromising in their pursuit of a goal
    2. Iron=discipline
    3. Scots and Parliamentarian joint force. They then captured York
5. Flying army created a centrally commanded force that could be deployed anywhere
  1. August 1643, Impressment Ordinance, legal right to conscript soldiers
    1. August 1643- Appointment of Earl of Manchester- more capable commander who removed weak officers, promoted skilfull soldiers
6. Earl of Essex had power to raise army by self
7. Associations- Eastern Association-20th December founded consisting of county militia of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire
  1. Creating meaningful military units that could be sent out of their region
    1. ONLY WHEN REORGANISED UNDER EARL OF MANCHESTER
      1. He promoted only those with good military experience
  2. under Lord Grey of Warke.
  3. founded consisting of county militia of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire
Political
1. The Self Denying Ordinance April 1645
  1. Solved the political disunity of Parliamentarian armies, on how one thing may be desirable politically, but not militarily
  2. All MP's who held command positions in the army were removed, apart from Cromwell and Fairfax
  3. A decisive attempt to regain the political iniative for the War Party
2. Parliament no longer constrained legally, to win they breached almost every clause of the Petition of Right
3. Had effective foreign assistance in the form of the Scots
  1. Due to Solemn League and Covenant, signed by the persuasion of Pym, 7th August 1643
    1. In return for Presbyterian church settlement
      1. To wipe out Popery and Episcopacy
  2. 22,000 troops
4. Had the support of much richer parts of England, including the South, East and London
  1. Sizable population
    1. Trained bands
    2. London Mob
Financial
1. January 1644- Financial restructure monthly assessments increased revenue by 50%
  1. Pym organised a financial structure for victory
  2. Weekly, fortnightly tax relived, regular income
2. Held London, Bristol, two biggest ports in England
  1. Could mortgage the prospective income from taxes in order to gain cash-in-hand before levies were collected

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Strengths of the Parliamentarians

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	Created by Declan Wiseman over 8 years ago