Are you a Roundhead or a Cavalier?

The English civil war of the 17th century was essentially a conflict between the parliament (Roundheads) and the crown (Cavaliers). Was England a constitutional society ruled by law where freedom mattered or was it subject to the will of one man who ruled by divine right?

I feel like our present constitutional crisis is essentially a fight for primacy between the legislative and executive branches. There really seems to be be two Federal parties, the Congress party and the Bush party. They follow roughly, but not exactly, nominal party lines.

Just an observation.

and we were sceptered isle I'd feel a lot better about this analogy. But he isn't and we aren't, and I think the claims against our current usurper-tyrant are much stronger than the Roundhead's claims against Charles Stuart, who IMHO was vastly preferable to the murderous and bigoted Oliver Cromwell.

He was no day at the beach. Compared to the rank and file puritan of the day, Cromwell was actually a moderate. He did reverse the expulsion of the Jews and the oldest synagogue in London dates from that period. It seems like revolutions are always a time of extreme passion.

... circumcision thread. :dunce: :silly:

oops.

That's just.....painful.

of the equation.

http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0833687.html

THE DECLARATION OF BREDA (1660)

Charles, by the grace of God, king of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, etc., to all our loving subjects, of what degree or quality soever, greeting. If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole kingdom doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that those wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding, may be bound up, all we can say will be to no purpose. However, after this long silence, we have thought it our duty to declare how much we desire to contribute thereunto; and that, as we can never give over the hope in good time to obtain possession of that right which God and nature hath made our due, so we do make it our daily suit to the Divine Providence that He will, in compassion to us and our subjects after so long misery and sufferings, remit and put us into a quiet and peaceable possession of that our right, with as little blood and damage to our people as is possible. Nor do we desire more to enjoy what is ours than that all our subjects may enjoy what by law is theirs by a full and entire administration of justice throughout the land, and by extending our mercy where it is wanted and deserved.

-snip-

And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced several opinions in religion, by which men are engaged in parties and animosities against each other — which, when they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of conversation, will be composed or better understood — we do declare a liberty to tender consciences and that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matter of religion, which do not disturb the peace of the kingdom; and that we shall be ready to consent to such an act of parliament as, upon mature deliberation, shall be offered to us for the full granting that indulgence.

-snip-

And we do further declare that we will be ready to consent to any act or acts of parliament to the purposes aforesaid and for the full satisfaction of all arrears due to the officers and soldiers of the army under the command of General Monk; and that they shall be received into our service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy.

http://www.constitution.org/sech/sech_113.htm

Levellers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levellers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrard_Winstanley

There were some wild fellas operating in those days, in thought & deed.

http://www.exlibris.org/nonconform/engdis/index.html

And Ollie'ss hair-do was very What Not to Wear.