OCR AS Level History A
Y138/01 The Early Stuarts
and the Origins of the Civil
War 1603–1660 Combined
Question paper & Marking
Scheme A+ May 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Wednesday 14 May 2025 – Afternoon
AS Level History A
Y138/01 The Early Stuarts and the Origins of the Civil War 1603–
1660
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions in Section A and one question in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
, 2
Section A
The Execution of Charles I and the Interregnum 1646–1660
Study the three sources and answer both questions in this section.
1 Use your knowledge of the parliamentary disputes in the period to assess how useful Source A
is as evidence of the criticism of MPs during the Commonwealth (1649–53). [10]
2 Using these three sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that Oliver
Cromwell’s aim during the Commonwealth and Protectorate (1649 to 1658) was to
enhance his own power. [20]
Source A: A judge at the king’s trial, later a Rump MP, who broke with Cromwell after he established the
Protectorate, recalls the dismissal of the Rump Parliament in 1653.
Cromwell piled the vilest criticisms on Parliament, accusing them of having done nothing for the public good,
and having promoted the corrupt interest of the Presbyterians and the lawyers who were supporters of
tyranny and oppression. He accused them of an intention to keep themselves in power and thereupon told
them that the Lord had done with them and had chosen other servants to carry on his work that were more
worthy.
Edmund Ludlow, memoirs, published 1698–99.
Source B: The Commonwealthmen comment on the Protectorate and the powers accorded to Parliament.
[Parliament] is understood to be a creature of your [Cromwell’s] will and power. The definition of places, the
qualification of persons, the summons [to parliament], and all other incidents belonging to it, come wholly
from you, and your assumed office. You make yourself so important to them and at the same time restrict
them by instruments as to the power they shall delegate. If the origin of all just power is in the people, as we
have been taught by Parliament, how come there is a jurisdiction superior to theirs, which commands them
what to do?
Officer in the Army in Ireland, letter to Cromwell, 1656.
Source C: Cromwell replies to a delegation of 100 officers and ex major-generals, who feared that the
Humble Petition and Advice might lead to a return of Charles Stuart.
© Toby Bar nard, English Republic: 1649-1660, p86-7, Pearson Education Ltd, 1982. Fr om first line " Cromwell said curtly that he had already refused the title ‘king’," to last line " This might be someone else’s case one day." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
© OCR 2025 Y138/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The Early Stuarts 1603–1646
Answer Question 3 or Question 4.
3* Assess the reasons why Charles I dissolved parliament in 1629. [20]
4* ‘Charles I was to blame for the outbreak of the First Civil War in 1642.’ How far
do you agree? [20]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y138/01 Jun25
Y138/01 The Early Stuarts
and the Origins of the Civil
War 1603–1660 Combined
Question paper & Marking
Scheme A+ May 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Wednesday 14 May 2025 – Afternoon
AS Level History A
Y138/01 The Early Stuarts and the Origins of the Civil War 1603–
1660
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must be
clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions in Section A and one question in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
, 2
Section A
The Execution of Charles I and the Interregnum 1646–1660
Study the three sources and answer both questions in this section.
1 Use your knowledge of the parliamentary disputes in the period to assess how useful Source A
is as evidence of the criticism of MPs during the Commonwealth (1649–53). [10]
2 Using these three sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that Oliver
Cromwell’s aim during the Commonwealth and Protectorate (1649 to 1658) was to
enhance his own power. [20]
Source A: A judge at the king’s trial, later a Rump MP, who broke with Cromwell after he established the
Protectorate, recalls the dismissal of the Rump Parliament in 1653.
Cromwell piled the vilest criticisms on Parliament, accusing them of having done nothing for the public good,
and having promoted the corrupt interest of the Presbyterians and the lawyers who were supporters of
tyranny and oppression. He accused them of an intention to keep themselves in power and thereupon told
them that the Lord had done with them and had chosen other servants to carry on his work that were more
worthy.
Edmund Ludlow, memoirs, published 1698–99.
Source B: The Commonwealthmen comment on the Protectorate and the powers accorded to Parliament.
[Parliament] is understood to be a creature of your [Cromwell’s] will and power. The definition of places, the
qualification of persons, the summons [to parliament], and all other incidents belonging to it, come wholly
from you, and your assumed office. You make yourself so important to them and at the same time restrict
them by instruments as to the power they shall delegate. If the origin of all just power is in the people, as we
have been taught by Parliament, how come there is a jurisdiction superior to theirs, which commands them
what to do?
Officer in the Army in Ireland, letter to Cromwell, 1656.
Source C: Cromwell replies to a delegation of 100 officers and ex major-generals, who feared that the
Humble Petition and Advice might lead to a return of Charles Stuart.
© Toby Bar nard, English Republic: 1649-1660, p86-7, Pearson Education Ltd, 1982. Fr om first line " Cromwell said curtly that he had already refused the title ‘king’," to last line " This might be someone else’s case one day." Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
© OCR 2025 Y138/01 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The Early Stuarts 1603–1646
Answer Question 3 or Question 4.
3* Assess the reasons why Charles I dissolved parliament in 1629. [20]
4* ‘Charles I was to blame for the outbreak of the First Civil War in 1642.’ How far
do you agree? [20]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR 2025 Y138/01 Jun25
