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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain who fought in the English Civil War and why.

      Key learning points

      1. The English Civil War involved fighting between Royalists and Parliamentarians.
      2. The Civil War divided communities and even families.
      3. The Parliamentarians were supported by a Scottish army from 1644 - 1646.
      4. Pamphlets were used as a form of propaganda by both sides during the Civil War.

      Keywords

      • Civil War - a civil war is a war between two groups from the same country

      • Royalist - a Royalist was a supporter of King Charles I during the English Civil War, (also known as Cavaliers)

      • Parliamentarian - a Parliamentarian was a supporter of Parliament during the English Civil War, (also known as Roundheads)

      • Puritan - a Puritan was a person with very strict Protestant beliefs

      • Propaganda - propaganda is information, often false, which is published by a person or group to make others agree with them

      Common misconception

      Primary sources are inherently useful because they were published at the time of an event.

      Sources are produced for a variety of purposes which can affect what they say. Propaganda sources might falsify information to persuade.

      Teacher tip

      On slide 8, ask students to identify differences/ similarities between the two sides in the drawing. Ask students how similar/ different the two sides appear overall. Represents how civil war divided people who previously had little to separate them.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

      Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match up the key words to their correct definitions.

      Correct Answer:civil war,a conflict between people from the same country

      a conflict between people from the same country

      Correct Answer:monarch,a king or queen

      a king or queen

      Correct Answer:Parliament,group of people who vote on laws and taxes

      group of people who vote on laws and taxes

      Q2.
      What best describes Charles I’s understanding of the Divine Right of Kings?

      He believed he had a duty to always do what his subjects told him to.
      He believed he should try to act as his subjects asked as often as possible.
      Correct answer: He believed that his subjects had a duty to always do what he said.

      Q3.
      Write the missing word: Parliament’s list of 204 complaints about the rule of Charles I was known as the Grand _______.

      Correct Answer: Remonstrance, remonstrance

      Q4.
      What type of people did the Grand Remonstrance criticise Charles I for appointing as advisors?

      Members of Parliament
      Correct answer: Papists
      Protestants

      Q5.
      What type of issue was Charles I ruling without Parliament for 11 years?

      financial
      Correct answer: political
      religious

      Q6.
      What type of issue was Charles I marrying a Catholic Queen, Henrietta Maria?

      financial
      political
      Correct answer: religious

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Write the missing word. People who supported and fought for Charles I during the Civil War were known as...

      Correct Answer: Royalists, royalists, Cavaliers, cavaliers

      Q2.
      Write the missing word. People who supported and fought for Parliament during the Civil War were known as...

      Correct Answer: Parliamentarians, parliamentarians, roundheads, Roundheads

      Q3.
      Write the missing word. Information, often false, which is published by a person or group to make others agree with them is called...

      Correct Answer: propaganda, Propaganda

      Q4.
      What country sent an army to support English Parliamentarians from 1644-46?

      France
      Ireland
      Correct answer: Scotland
      Spain

      Q5.
      What was one of the key aims of Royalist and Parliamentarian propaganda during the Civil War?

      Correct answer: Encourage people to support their side
      Kill as many people on the other side as possible
      Scare the other side so they wouldn’t fight
      Trick the other side about their plans

      Q6.
      What did Parliamentarian propaganda claim about Royalists?

      King Charles I was ignoring Catholics.
      King Charles I was secretly a Catholic.
      King Charles I was treating Catholics unfairly.
      Correct answer: King Charles I trusted Catholics too much.

      To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: Royalists and Parliamentarians, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...