Heads of Proposals facts for kids

The Heads of Proposals was a special plan. It was meant to create peace after King Charles I lost the First English Civil War. This plan was probably written in 1647 by two important army leaders: Commissary-General Henry Ireton and Major-General John Lambert.

What Happened Before: The Newcastle Demands

In 1646, the Scottish army captured King Charles I. They started talking with the English Parliament. Parliament gave the King a list of demands called the Newcastle Propositions.

These demands included:

• The King had to agree to a religious promise called the Covenant.
• He had to accept a Presbyterian church system.
• Parliament wanted control of the Army for 20 years.
• The King had to hand over his main supporters for punishment.

King Charles I thought these terms were too harsh. He refused to accept them.

How the Proposals Were Written

In June 1647, the New Model Army took control of King Charles I. The army made a promise called the Solemn Engagement. They said they would not break up until their problems were fixed. Then, the army started marching towards London.

Parliament sent people to talk with the army leaders. During these talks, the army agreed to write down their ideas for peace. This plan would help settle the country and end the Civil War.

Henry Ireton and another officer, probably John Lambert, were chosen to write these proposals. On July 17, Ireton showed the first version of the "Heads of the Proposals" at an army meeting. Over the next two weeks, these ideas were discussed and improved. The King and his advisors were even allowed to give their opinions, which led to some changes.

On August 1, after a few final changes to address the King's concerns, the army council approved the plan. Copies were sent to the King, Parliament, and the city of London. The completed peace plan was then printed for everyone to see.

Main Ideas of the Proposals

The main ideas in the "Heads of Proposals" were:

• People who supported the King (Royalists) had to wait five years before they could hold a public job.
• The Book of Common Prayer could be used, but it was not required. People would not be punished for not going to church or for attending other religious services.
• The Parliament that was currently meeting would decide when it would end. After that, a new Parliament would be called every two years. These Parliaments would meet for at least 120 days but no more than 240 days. The areas that elected Members of Parliament would also be reorganized.
• The church would still have bishops, but their power would be greatly reduced.
• Parliament would control who became state officials and officers in the army and navy for 10 years.

King Charles's Response

Even after the New Model Army took over London, Parliament did not use the "Heads of Proposals" as a basis for peace. Instead, they sent the King a new version of the Newcastle Propositions. This new version allowed some Puritans to practice their religion, but it completely banned the use of the Book of Common Prayer.

On September 14, the King replied. He said he preferred the Army's Proposals. He felt they were better for everyone and would lead to a lasting peace.

The idea of a new peace treaty was discussed in Parliament on September 22 and 23, 1647. Some members, like Henry Marten, wanted to stop talking to the King completely. However, Oliver Cromwell and Henry Ireton disagreed. Parliament finally decided on September 23 to talk to the King again.

This decision made many people in the army, especially the radical group called the Levellers, very unhappy. Cromwell and Ireton were criticized. They were accused of lying about the army wanting to talk to the King again.

Because Oliver Cromwell and Henry Ireton tried to make a deal with the King, they lost the support of the army's radical members. These radicals thought Cromwell and Ireton were too eager to please the King. Without a friendly agreement between the Army, the King, the English Parliament, and the Scots, the Second English Civil War began.

Why the Proposals Were Important

Even though the "Heads of Proposals" was never officially accepted, Ireton talked about it a lot during the Putney Debates. He presented it as a fair choice compared to another plan called the Agreement of the People.

Some parts of the "Heads of Proposals" were later included in the Instrument of Government. This was a written constitution that explained the powers of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector. The religious ideas Ireton suggested in 1647 were almost exactly the same as those finally put into law by the Toleration Act 1688.