Corkbush Field mutiny facts for kids
The Corkbush Field Mutiny was an important event that happened on November 15, 1647. It took place during the early part of the Second English Civil War. Soldiers were asked to sign a special promise of loyalty at a place called Corkbush Field. This promise was to Thomas Fairfax, who was the leader of the New Model Army (NMA), and to the Army Council. Some soldiers refused to sign. They were arrested, and one of the main leaders, Private Richard Arnold, faced serious consequences.
Why the Mutiny Happened
After some important discussions called the Putney Debates, army leaders like Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell were worried. They knew that a group called the Levellers had many supporters in the New Model Army. The Levellers wanted their own ideas for how the country should be run, which they called the Agreement of the People.
But the army commanders wanted to use their own plan, called the Heads of Proposals. To make sure everyone followed their plan, they asked every soldier to sign a promise of loyalty. This promise meant they supported Fairfax as their leader and accepted the Heads of Proposals.
Many soldiers were willing to sign. Even those who liked the Levellers' ideas agreed. This was because Cromwell and Fairfax promised that Parliament would pay them the money they were owed. The leaders also warned that if soldiers didn't sign, the army might not seem united. This could delay their pay or even lead to some regiments being sent home without any money at all. By signing, the soldiers were now loyal to the Army Council, not to the King or Parliament. This was a smart move by the leaders.
What Happened at Corkbush Field
The Army Council had decided that Corkbush Field, near Ware in Hertfordshire, would be the first meeting place for the soldiers. When Fairfax arrived, most of the soldiers from the seven regiments that were supposed to be there agreed to sign the loyalty promise.
A politician and Leveller supporter named Colonel Thomas Rainsborough tried to give Fairfax a copy of the Agreement of the People, but Fairfax did not accept it. Some officers, like Major Scott, refused to sign and told their men not to sign either. They were arrested.
Two other regiments showed up even though they weren't ordered to be there. They carried copies of the Agreement of the People. They also put small pieces of paper in their hats that said "England's Freedom, Soldiers' Rights." This was a well-known slogan used by the Levellers.
Colonel Thomas Harrison's horse regiment arrived first. Fairfax managed to talk to them, and they agreed to sign the promise. Colonel Robert Lilburne's foot regiment arrived a bit later. (Robert was the brother of John Lilburne, a famous Leveller.) When one of Fairfax's officers approached them, they threw stones and hurt him.
Cromwell, with his sword drawn, rode into their ranks with some of his officers. He ordered the soldiers to take the papers out of their hats. Cromwell had about eight or nine of Lilburne's most difficult soldiers arrested. They were quickly put on trial by the army and found guilty of not following orders. Three of the main leaders were sentenced to death. They drew lots, and Private Richard Arnold was chosen. He was shot right there as an example to others.
At the other two meeting places, Ruislip Heath and Kingston, the remaining regiments were ordered to show their support for Fairfax. All of them agreed to do so. This way, the army stayed united and under control. It was ready to fight when the Second English Civil War began in July 1648.
What Happened Next
The ideas that caused the mutiny did not disappear. Over the next year, civilian "agitators" (as the Levellers called themselves) continued to spread their ideas from the Agreement of the People.
It became clear that an agreement with King Charles I was not possible. Many army officers who had not supported the Levellers' idea of removing the King began to change their minds. They supported the King's trial and removal from power on January 30, 1649. This allowed the Levellers to gain more support within the army again.
The next time the Levellers caused a problem in the New Model Army was the Bishopsgate mutiny in April 1649.
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