Why did civl war break out in England, 1642?

This complete lesson bundle provides a structured unit exploring the causes of the English Civil War, taking students from the wider historical context through to a final causation assessment. The unit begins by introducing Religion as a key factor, recapping the religious changes of the Tudor period before examining James I’s religious policies and considering how religious tensions developed under Charles I. Students then explore Power, examining the gradual decline in the power of English monarchs alongside the growing influence of Parliament, before considering how Charles I’s belief in the Divine Right of Kings conflicted with Parliament’s expectations of its role and responsibilities. Students then move from the long-term context to the key events between Charles I’s coronation and the outbreak of war in 1642, identifying how tensions increased and beginning to develop their own explanations for why Civil War broke out. The penultimate lesson brings the key factors together, allowing students to use their knowledge and supporting information sheets to explain how Power, Religion and Money influenced the actions of Charles I and Parliament and contributed to the outbreak of war. The unit concludes with students reaching their own judgement about whether Power or Religion was the most significant cause of the Civil War. Students are introduced to the requirements of a causation essay and given time to prepare for the assessment. The bundle includes: - 5 fully structured lessons covering the causes of the English Civil War - Knowledge recall activities - All lesson resources and information sheets - Activities developing historical explanation and causation - Opportunities to consider alternative interpretations and arguments - A final causation essay assessment - Assessment preparation activities - Feedback sheets to support and speed up marking - This bundle is designed to provide a clear progression from context and knowledge → identifying causes → explaining causation → reaching a judgement, giving students a strong understanding of why the English Civil War broke out.