Expert: Joseph Logue - 10/28/2008

Question
Dear Joseph
I am searching for an essay topic on the english civil war. I thought of writing with the thesis that the english civil conflicts ushered the beginnings of the first european democracy, with parliament now holding unprecedented checks over the wishes of sovereign. obviously it was not a perfect democracy with most population disenfranchised, but it was parliament, as a body of representatives of the commons, that now must be consulted - a far cry from Louis XIV and other absolutists. anyway, any thoughts on a good essay topic regarding the english civil war?

Answer
Hello James,

That sounds, frankly, like a thoroughly well-thought out and comprehensive outline.  If you write the essay as well as you write the question, I should think you will do quite well.

You might do well to include overviews of sessions of Parliament; its acts and laws passed, political shifts, etc., to round it out.  These years I think were preparation for the laws passed at the end of the century (the Bill of Rights (1689) and the Act of Settlement (1701), that sharply and forever codified just how England/Great Britain/the United Kingdom would be ruled.

As for the democracy aspect:  you might want to compare a little with the Dutch stadtholders.  They were political leaders with hereditary rights, but subject to a contentious citizenry.

Good luck James.  I hope you do very well on your essay.

Sincerely,

Joseph Logue