1640s

The 1640s was a turbulent decade marked by significant political and social upheaval in England. It featured the outbreak of the English Civil War (1642–1651) between the monarchy, led by King Charles I, and Parliament. The conflict resulted in the temporary overthrow of the monarchy, the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, and intense debates over governance, religion, and individual rights. This decade reshaped England’s political structure, ending centuries of monarchical dominance and influencing ideas about democracy and authority that remain relevant today.