Bishops' Wars

The Bishops' Wars (1639-1640) were conflicts between King Charles I of England and Scotland. The core issue was religious and political: Charles tried to impose Anglican-style episcopal church practices on Scotland, which was predominantly Presbyterian and preferred local church governance. Scottish Covenanters fiercely opposed these changes, leading to unrest. The wars ended with Charles's defeat and the signing of treaties that temporarily restored Scottish religious autonomy and limited the king’s powers. These conflicts heightened tensions that eventually contributed to the broader English Civil War.