The National Archives Learning Curve - Civil War

Civil War > Why did people go to war in 1642? > 1640-42 > Source 9

Why did people go to war in 1642?

Case study 2: 1640-42 - Source 9

• What is this source?
• What's the background to this source?
• It's worth knowing that...
• Your turn: What can we learn from this source?

Petition from the confused gentry of Somerset, August 1642

(Catalogue ref: SP 16/491/117)

What is this source?

This petition or request was presented to a court in Somerset to be sent on to the king.

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It explained the feelings of the petitioners and asked for actions to be taken.

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What's the background to this source?

By 1642 relations between Charles and Parliament were disastrous. Both sides were preparing for war. Both sides had plans for the militia.

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It's worth knowing that...

The gentry of Somerset were not the only group who were confused in 1642 about whether to obey the Parliament or the king.

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In Cheshire the gentry sent a document to Parliament and the king saying that they were not prepared to take either side in a war, as civil war was a sin. There were similar developments in Staffordshire and many other counties.

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Your turn: What can we learn from this source?

1. What does this source tell us about the feelings of the Somerset gentry in August 1642?
2. What do the Somerset gentry want?
3. Does this source give us any clues about why the kingdom went to war in 1642?

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