October: Charles decides to impose the Anglican Prayer Book on Scotland This fateful decision would ultimately lead to civil war throughout the three kingdoms June: Punishment of Prynne, Burton and Bastwick These three Puritans were fined and publicly mutilated for criticising the Laudian church. July: Riot at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh When Charles attempted to impose the Prayer Book on Scotland, the Scots responded with Calvinist fury. February 1638: Scottish National Covenant signed. A declaration of Scots national identity and a determination to defend their Kirk against Anglicanism, Charles viewed the Covenant as a sign of rebellion November: The Church of Scotland abolishes bishops. Charles responds by suspending use of the Prayer Book and starts gathering an army to crush the Scots. April: Short Parliament convenes "Opponents of the Crown get a forum for their views following eleven years of personal rule." August: Second Bishops War commences Acting on Strafford's advice, Charles again attempts to teach the Scots a lesson- the Scots respond by seizing Newcastle. November: Long Parliament assembles With the Scots controlling the north of England, Charles is forced to call a second Parliament. May: Charles' army moves up to Berwick This demoralised and disorganised army takes up position against the Scots on the south bank of the Tweed. June: First Bishops War ends Realising his army is in no position to defeat the Scots, Charles concludes the First Bishops War by signing the Treaty of Berwick May: Execution of Strafford Charles had promised to protect his chief adviser but sacrificed him to save his own skin October: Irish Rebellion breaks out Just when Charles seemed to have reached an understanding with Parliament and the Scots, Ireland erupts in rebellion. November: Parliament issues Grand Remonstrance Instead of giving Charles an army to crush the rebels, Parliament responds with a document detailing eleven years of personal misrule. March: Militia Ordinance issued As relations between Crown and Parliament deteriorate, Parliament attempts to raise a military force June: Charles issues the Commissions of Array The King asks the Lords Lieutenant and county aristocracy to provide him with a military force. August: Charles raises his standard at Nottingham. Calling on all loyal men to support the King, Charles' action signals the start of the First Civil War. October: Battle of Edgehill The first major military engagement of the War-a draw. November: Turnham Green The battle that never was-the King forfeits his chance to capture London. January: Charles tries to arrest the five members Fearing that Parliament is about to impeach Queen Henrietta Maria, Charles attempts to arrest his leading Parliamentary tormentors-but the 'birds have already flown' July: Rupert seizes Bristol A major city and port falls into Royalist hands September: Charles concludes a truce with the Confederates In an effort to release extra troops to fight in England, Charles reaches an 'understanding' with the Confederation of Kilkenny September: Parliament and Covenanters conclude the Solemn League and Covenant Pym and the Covenanters conclude a tactical alliance to counter-balance Royalist successes during 1643 December: Death of John Pym The great Parliamentary leader dies shortly after concluding the Covenant with the Scots. January: Scots Covenanter army enters England The first fruits of Pym's deal, a disciplined Scots Presbyterian army invades the north of England. July: Battle of Marston Moor The first truly decisive battle of the First Civil War-a major Parliamentary victory. December: Parliament passes the Self-Denying Ordinance The Independents resolve their differences with the moderates by severing their links with the Parliamentary army, a growing source of political power. February: New Model Army Ordinance issued This highly disciplined and well-motivated army soon proved its worth April: Fairfax replaces Essex as Parliamentary Commander A more dynamic military leader replaces the cautious Essex as the Self Denying Ordinance comes into effect. June: Battle of Naseby Another major military disaster for the Royalists September: Battle of Philiphaugh Montrose's 'Year of Miracles' end when his army is defeated in the Borders. May: Charles surrenders to the Covenanters Realising his military options are limited, Charles surrenders to the Scots and brings the First Civil War to an end. June: Battle of Benburb A major victory for the Confederation of Kilkenny. The Scots Covenanters and English Parliamentarians reach a rapprochement following this Catholic victory. June: Charles taken prisoner by the Army Realising that the King is central to any peace deal, the Army seizes Charles from the Parliamentarians to strengthen their bargaining power. October: Putney Debates commence A major event in British political history-the grandees of the New Model army deign to discuss political ideals with the ordinary soldiers. Those who continue to 'agitate' after the debates are summarily executed. December: Charles concludes an 'Engagement' with the Scots Charles forms a military alliance with his Scots Presbyterians making the resumption of hostilities inevitable. January: Parliament issues a Vote of No Addresses Infuriated by Charles' Engagement with the Scots, Parliament bans all future discussions with the monarch. March: Second Civil War begins War recommences with a rising by disaffected troops in Wales. August: Battle of Preston Cromwell crushes the Scots Engagers on the banks of the Ribble and, in the same month, Fairfax recaptures Colchester. December: Pride's Purge The Army removes all its conservative and moderate opponents from Parliament. January: Execution of Charles I The first time in British history that a reigning monarch is executed by his own people. March: Parliament abolishes the monarchy and House of Lords. A necessary corollary to Charles' execution, a major political experiment commences. May: England is declared a free Commonwealth The Republican era begins with Oliver Cromwell as the dominant political and military figure.