The Munsons of Texas — an American Saga
Inset 2
THE ENGLISH CROWN IN THE YEARS 1603-1660
Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, leaving no heir to the throne, the first of the House of Stuart, James I of Scotland, became king. During his harsh reign, English colonists established settlements at Jamestown, Virginia, and Plymouth, Massachusetts. His successor, in 1625, was his son, Charles I, who ruled as an absolute monarch and did not call any Parliament from 1629 to 1640. When Parliament finally met, it refused to grant the king any funds until he agreed to limits on his royal power. Charles refused and civil war broke out in 1642.
Charles had the support of the nobility, gentry, and clergy, who were called Royalists. Parliament's greatest support came from the Puritans, who were called Roundheads because they cut their hair short. Oliver Cromwell was one of the principal parliamentary leaders. He led the Puritan army in a series of victories. Charles fled to his native Scotland, but the Scots turned him over to the Roundheads. A special court set up by Parliament condemned Charles to death, and he was beheaded in 1649. Sir William5 Monson was a member of this court, but apparently as a dissenter, for he was severely punished.
England became a Commonwealth ruled by a committee of Parliament. Oliver Cromwell ended the Commonwealth in 1653 by dismissing the Long Parliament, which had been meeting since 1640. The country was called a Protectorate and Cromwell was called Lord Protector. He ruled until his death in 1658. His son, Richard, was chosen Lord Protector, but Richard could not handle the affairs of government.
The Long Parliament met again to call for new elections. The result was The Restoration, in 1660, at which time the Stuarts were restored as the rulers of England in the person of King Charles II, the son of Charles I. The Court of Charles II is especially noted for its immorality. During these tumultuous years in English history, there was a large exodus of colonists to America.
