Weaknesses of the Royalists

Role of the King
1. Frequently ignored advice of experienced military leaders
  1. Sided with Prince Rupert (23 yr old nephew) vs Earl of Lindsey (60 yr old wat vet)
    1. Causing Lindsey to resign
    2. Over cavalry attack
      1. Rupert leads disorganised cavalry advance that fails
2. Did not resolve feud between Digby and Rupert, leading members of Council of War
  1. So faction and rivalries undermined the common cause
  2. Council of War ineffective
    1. In fighting
    2. Oxford
    3. State of "paralysis"
3. Not a good man manager
4. 1644- Royalist Parliament gave assent on excise tax on 'everie pynt of aquavytie or strong watteris sold within the country'
5. Loose cannons such as General George Goring
  1. Did not obey orders
    1. Charles acted indecisively in dealing with them
    2. More interested in plundering at the expense of victory
6. Poor war leader
  1. Descent upon London directly after Edgehill October 1642 might have won war
    1. Delay allows Earl of Essex to circle round Royalist army, reaching London before them
  2. Decision to turn back after stand-off at Turnham Green despite advtange in size, equipment of army
7. Authority of the Commissions of Array were legally dubious- ancient constitution
  1. Ineffective
    1. Raised individual counties, draining them of support for Royalists
8. Failed to achieve politcal settlement whilst he had superior resources early on
  1. Longer it went on, less advantaged
9. All 6 commanders were grandees
  1. Based on social status
Lack of significant foreign assistance
1. Henrietta Maria sent to France for material support
  1. Failed due to their involvement in 30 yrs war
    1. Plus navy in Parliaments control
  2. Had to pawn jewelery
2. 1 year truce 1643, Irish confederates
  1. Disastrous military and propaganda results
    1. Charles bolstered Parliamentarian cause, Parliament horrified of King's willingness to ally with Catholics
  2. Employ mercenaries
  3. Military alliance fails, so no alliances with anyone
Territory and resources
1. Troops infrequently paid deserted
2. JP's were relied on to squeeze more out of counties. Relies on them being energised for war effort
3. In areas of fighting
  1. Inability to pay taxes
    1. Morrill "financial thrombosis killed the Royalist cause" (clotting)
4. Clubmen movement
  1. Favoured Parliamentarians as they looked like winning war
    1. BC: Their activities were negative, neutralist and anti-war
  2. Rural insurrectionaries wanted protection from plundering soldiers
  3. Mostly from Royalist territory, dislocating Charles war effort
5. Controlled less wealthy territories
  1. Did not control London
    1. So no shipping
6. Relied on donations
  1. if they collapse, campaign also collapses

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Weaknesses of the Royalists

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	Created by Declan Wiseman about 8 years ago