GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE History
- Warfare and English society, c1500 to c1700
Warfare and English society, c1500 to c1700
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
Guns changed battles, and the Civil War produced England's first truly professional army.
Changing armies
Armies now had musketeers, pikemen (who protected the musketeers while they reloaded), dragoons (mounted soldiers who fought on foot) and cavalry.
Muskets improved and pistols were used by cavalry.
After 1660 England kept a small standing army in peacetime.
Muskets improved and pistols were used by cavalry.
After 1660 England kept a small standing army in peacetime.
The New Model Army
Parliament created the New Model Army in 1645 during the Civil War.
It was professional: soldiers were trained, disciplined, regularly paid, and officers were promoted on merit.
Civilians suffered from recruitment, requisitioning of food and horses, soldiers billeted in homes, and taxes.
It was professional: soldiers were trained, disciplined, regularly paid, and officers were promoted on merit.
Civilians suffered from recruitment, requisitioning of food and horses, soldiers billeted in homes, and taxes.
Case study: Naseby, 1645
On 14 June 1645, the New Model Army defeated Charles I at Naseby.
Prince Rupert's Royalist cavalry charged and then chased off the field.
Oliver Cromwell's disciplined cavalry charged, then regrouped and attacked the Royalist infantry. Parliament also had more troops.
Prince Rupert's Royalist cavalry charged and then chased off the field.
Oliver Cromwell's disciplined cavalry charged, then regrouped and attacked the Royalist infantry. Parliament also had more troops.
Explain Cromwell's role at Naseby.
- Cromwell commanded Parliament's cavalry.
- His cavalry stayed disciplined after charging.
- They regrouped and attacked the Royalist infantry, which helped win the battle.
Answer: His disciplined cavalry regrouped and turned the battle.
Musketeers, pikemen, dragoons, cavalry. New Model Army 1645: professional, paid, trained. Naseby 1645: Cromwell's disciplined cavalry beat Charles I. Standing army after 1660.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.