For second and third English civil war history, refer a separate article
The Civil War that took place in Britain can be categorized into three years when the war broke out. The First and the Second Civil War took place during the reign of Charles I, that is, between 1642- 1646 and from 1648-1649.



The Third War was however fought during the rule of Charles II from 1649-1651. The common link in all the three wars was that it was a fight which erupted between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists. The English Civil War concluded with the victory of Parliamentarians.

The First Civil War was fought from 1642-1646. Charles had left London in 1642 as he feared for his and his family's safety. It was the time when Charles was powerless as compared to the Parliament. The Royal Navy and the many of the English cities lent their support to the Parliament.

The rural communities favored the King. It is believed that both the King and the Parliament had an army of only 15,000 men to fight the war. The war spread like wild fire which every level of the society was involved. Most of the affected areas formed bands of Clubmen in order to protect their respective areas from the troops of both battling sides.

An important point to be remembered was that during the on-going war, both the King and the Parliament and their respective supporters believed that they were fighting the war to for the traditional government in Church and state.

The first battle of the war was fought at Edgehill in 1642. This battle was however inconclusive. The second time when both the parties meet at the battle field, Charles had to escape to Oxford. In 1643, the Royalist at Adwalton Moor and took control of most part of Yorkshire.

Another battle was fought in 1643 proved to be inconclusive. The Royalists proved victorious in the battles fought in the west of England. The Battle of Gainsborough was won by Oliver Cromwell's troop 'Ironsides'. Thus, the Royalists were successful during the early stages of the war.

However, the army of the Earl of Essex won the battle against the Royalist in the First Battle of Newbury. The subsequent battles like the Battle of Winceby, Marston Moor were won by the Parliament.

At the Battle of Lostwithiel, the Royalist was victorious. The Parliament was able to crush Charles' army in the Battle of Naseby and the Battle of Langport. The First Civil War came to an end with imprisonment of Charles by the Parliament.

Elizabethan Era England Life: This site gives information on various aspects of life during Elizabethan Times in England.

It covers Elizabethan Costumes/Clothing for men and women, Elizabethian Fashion, Crime, Torture, Theater/Stage, Arts and Culture, Family, Children, Family, Sports/Games, Education, Medicine and many other facts about the Elizabethan Period. Elizabethan Age is considered as a golden Era in English History. There is also information on Famous Pirates, Famous Woman Pirates, Pirate Costumes, Pirate Ships, Famous Explorers and Spanish Armada