List of English civil wars Facts for Kids

A civil war is a fight between groups of people from the same country. These conflicts often happen when people disagree strongly about who should rule or how the country should be run. England has seen many such wars and uprisings throughout its long history. These events shaped the country and its leaders.

The Second Barons' War in England. King Henry III's forces are on the left, fighting against the barons led by Simon de Montfort on the right. This picture is from the British Library.

Major Civil Wars in England
Important Uprisings and Rebellions
See also

Major Civil Wars in England

England has experienced several major civil wars. These were often long and bloody conflicts. They changed who was in charge and how the country was governed.

Early Royal Conflicts

The Anarchy (1135–1154): This was a long civil war in England and Normandy. It happened because there was no clear heir when King Henry I died. Two main groups fought for the throne: supporters of King Stephen and supporters of Empress Matilda. In the end, Matilda's son, Henry II, became king. This started the House of Plantagenet rule.

Barons Against the King

First Barons' War (1215–1217): This war involved a group of powerful barons. They were unhappy with King John. The barons were led by Robert Fitzwalter. They even got help from a French army, led by the future King Louis VIII.
Second Barons' War (1264–1267): Another war between barons and the king. This time, Simon de Montfort led the barons. They fought against the king's forces, led by Prince Edward. Prince Edward later became King Edward I. The war was fought in the name of King Henry III.
Despenser War (1321–1322, 1326): This was a revolt by powerful lords in England and Wales. They were against King Edward II. They especially disliked the king's close friend, Hugh Despenser the Younger.
- Invasion of England (1326): This was a continuation of the Despenser War. King Edward II's wife, Isabella of France, and her ally, Roger Mortimer, led an invasion. This led to King Edward II giving up his throne. Their son, Edward III, became the new king.

Wars for the Throne

Wars of the Roses (1455–1487): This was a series of civil wars fought over who should be king of England. Two powerful families, the House of York and the House of Lancaster, both wanted the throne. They were both branches of the royal House of Plantagenet. The wars were named after the white rose (York) and red rose (Lancaster) symbols.

The English Civil War

The English Civil War (1642–1652): This was a major conflict in England. It involved many battles and political struggles. It was fought between supporters of Parliament (called "Roundheads") and supporters of the King (called "Cavaliers"). The main reason for the war was disagreement over how the country should be governed.
- First English Civil War (1642–1646): This part of the war was between supporters of King Charles I and supporters of the Long Parliament.
- Second English Civil War (1648–1649): This was another conflict between King Charles I's supporters and Parliament's supporters.
- Third English Civil War (1650–1652): This final part of the war involved supporters of King Charles II fighting against the Rump Parliament.

Jacobite Rebellions

Jacobite Rebellions: These were a series of civil wars in England, Scotland, and Ireland. They aimed to bring the House of Stuart family back to the British throne. The conflict began after King James II was removed from power in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
- Williamite War in Ireland (1688–1691): A key battle in this war was the Battle of the Boyne. It was the last major battle between two people claiming the throne.
- Jacobite rising of 1689 (1689–1692)
- Jacobite rising of 1715 (1715–1716)
- Jacobite rising of 1719 (1719)
- Jacobite rising of 1745 (1741–1746): This was the last major attempt by the Jacobites to restore the Stuart kings. It was defeated.

The American Revolution

American Revolutionary War (1775–1783): This war started as a civil conflict within the British Empire. The American colonies fought for their independence. In 1778, France joined the war, making it a larger international conflict.

Important Uprisings and Rebellions

The young King Richard II meeting the Peasants' Revolt rebels in 1381. This image is from a 1470s copy of Jean Froissart's Chronicles.

Besides major civil wars, England has also seen many smaller but important uprisings. These often involved groups of people protesting against unfair rules or leaders.

Harrying of the North (1069–1070): This uprising happened four years after the Norman Conquest. Edgar Ætheling, a descendant of the old English kings, fought against the Normans. He had help from the King of Denmark Sweyn II and local Anglo-Saxons. The rebels were defeated. William the Conqueror then caused terrible destruction in Northern England to stop future rebellions.
Ely Rebellion (1070–1071): This was another rebellion against Norman rule. It was centered on the Isle of Ely. The Danish king Sweyn Estrithson sent a small army to help. The Isle became a safe place for Anglo-Saxon fighters like Hereward the Wake. William the Conqueror eventually took the area after a difficult fight.
Rebellion of 1088: This conflict in England and Normandy was about land. It was fought between William Rufus and Robert Curthose. They were two of William the Conqueror's sons.
Revolt of 1173–1174: This was a rebellion against the royal family of the Angevin Empire. It was supported by the Kingdom of France.
Welsh Uprising (1282): An uprising that took place in England and Wales.
Peasants' Revolt (1381): A famous uprising in England. Ordinary people protested against high taxes and unfair laws.
Cornish Rebellion of 1497: A rebellion that took place in England.
Monmouth Rebellion (1685): This rebellion in England tried to overthrow King James II. James had become king after his brother, Charles II, died. The rebellion was also known as The Revolt of the West.
Glorious Revolution (1688–1689): This event saw King James II replaced. His daughter, Mary II, and her husband, William III, became the new rulers.

List of English civil wars facts for kids

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