History > The Stuarts > Pride's Purge
Pride's Purge
BY DAVID ROSS, EDITOR
Thomas Pride was a colonel in the service of the Parliamentary New Model Army during the English Civil War. In December 1648, after the initial defeat of the Royalist armies, many moderate Parliamentarians wanted to make peace with King Charles. The more militant army leaders were adamantly opposed to any conciliation with the king. Under the orders of the Army Council, Pride prevented up to 130 moderate MPs from entering Parliament. Some of these were simply barred from the Commons, others were placed under arrest.
The remaining members of Parliament formed what has been called the Rump Parliament. The Rump was much more amenable to the Army's demands, and duly voted in favour of the trial and eventual execution of the king.
Though the removal of the moderate MPs has been termed 'Pride's Purge', Pride himself did not play a major role in the unfolding of events; he was merely an officer of the Army and led his men in carrying out their orders. Pride died 10 years later, in 1658.
Why was it important?
Pride's Purge has been called the only military coup in English history. There is a certain amount of truth in that claim. Certainly, it was not usual for the army to interfere with the workings of Parliament, but that is what occurred on this occasion. Without Pride's Purge, it is possible that the execution of Charles I might never have occurred, and the monarchy might never have been abolished.
Though it is unclear whether army head Sir Thomas Fairfax actually ordered the purge, it seems probable that Fairfax's second, Oliver Cromwell, must have been aware of what was about to transpire. In light of his subsequent rise to rule under the Commonwealth, we can safely say that if the Purge had never occurred, Cromwell would never have had the powerful role in English history that he eventually had.
Oliver Cromwell
Stuart attractions to visit (historic places to see tagged with 'Stuart')
Stuart London" in our "London History" guide
Prehistoric Britain
Roman Britain
Anglo-Saxon Era
The Tudor Era
Stuart Britain
Georgian Britain
The Victorian Age
English Monarchs
History of Wales
History of Scotland
London History
Medieval Life
British Battles
British Biography
English Architecture
History of Britain book
Historic Churches in Britain
Illustrated Dictionary of Church History & Architecture
Stately Homes
English Heritage membership
Free entry to English Heritage properties throughout England, plus discounted admission to Historic Scotland and Cadw properties in Scotland and Wales.
15% off memberships - use the code EHAFF2023
About English Heritage
Name the Historic attraction
Select an attraction: Carew Castle Chillingham Castle Cilgerran Castle Corgarff Castle Muncaster Castle Orchardton Tower Whittington Castle
This famous military debacle was immortalized by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in his poem, The Charge of the Light Brigade
Select: Balaclava Gallipoli Paschendale Sebastopol Somme
The batlle took place on 25 October, 1854
The battle was part of the Crimean War conflict
Edward III crowned
Edward's father, Edward II, is still alive, imprisoned by his wife Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer
Shortly after this monarch was buried at Winchester Cathedral, the cathedral tower collapsed - a sign?
Select: Edward I Edward II Edward III Henry I Henry II William II William III
This king was killed while hunting
The year was 1100