Chapter The Search for Settlement of Age of Milton and Marvell by History

The Search for Settlement

After Charles' defeat by Parliament in 1646 there followed a period of several years during which a both sides negotiated settlement. This period is dominated by the failed attempts at settlement between King and Parliament. In 1646 it appeared Parliament would be able to extract a favourable settlement with a limited monarchy and reforms of the Anglican Church to allow greater toleration of the more moderate of the Protestant nonconformists. Though there were nuances in the demands Parliament made in its peace proposals, the general principles remained constant. Parliament wanted control over the King's ministers, control of the militia, strong legal measures against Catholics, Parliaments every two or three years, the power to determine or a voice in the settlement of the religious question, and legal reprisals against key Royalists for their part in the Civil Wars. Such demands continually proved unacceptable to Charles I.