Rusty Aldwinckle - The Sealed Knot

The accession of Charles I in 1625, England and Scotland had both experienced relative peace, both internally and in their relations with each other, for as long as anyone could remember. 

Charles hoped to unite the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland into a new single kingdom, fulfilling the dream of his father, James I of England (James VI of Scotland).

Carl Pedley - The Sealed Knot 

Geoff Buxton - The Sealed Knot

A series of events, each seemingly minor on their own, led to a serious breakdown between Charles and his English Parliament, and eventually to civil war.

However, many English Parliamentarians had suspicions regarding such attempts to expand his own power, they feared that setting up a new kingdom might destroy the old English traditions that had bound the English monarchy.

Their suspicions had some justification as Charles expected outright loyalty and considered any questioning of his orders as, at best, insulting.

Rusty Aldwinckle - The Sealed Knot