OCR A Level History A The Early Stuarts and the Origins
of the Civil War 1603–1660 (Y108/01)
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
June 2026 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y108/01 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 Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 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.
, 2
Section A
The Execution of Charles I and the Interregnum 1646–1660
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Divisions amongst Charles I’s opponents were the main reason why negotiations failed during
1646 and 1647’.
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: Charles I, a prisoner of the Scottish army at Newcastle, writes to his wife about the
Newcastle Propositions submitted to him by Parliament.
1 July 1646. I have a true copy of the Newcastle Propositions and now assure you that I cannot
accept them without loss of my conscience, crown and honour. However, a flat denial is to be delayed
as long as possible.
31 August 1646. It is now rumoured that Parliament means to do their work without taking any
more notice of me. If we can use this time to persuade France and my other friends to support my
restoration to power, then all is not lost. I wish to go back to London, to study the Propositions and to
make my own counter‑proposals.
Charles I to Henrietta Maria, letters 1646
Source B: A prominent London Presbyterian preacher issues a pamphlet exposing the political
threat of religious Independents in the Army.
On 12 June 1646, a godly minister of this city told me about his discussion with an army major
concerning Church government. The major told him plainly that those in the Army who are called
Independents were not so much against Presbyterian government (though many thought they were)
as being tied to any government at all. They supported liberty of conscience, leaving everyone free to
believe what they pleased.
Thomas Edwards, ‘Gangraena, or a New Higher discovery of the Errors, Heresies,
Blasphemies, and Insolent Proceedings of the Sectaries of This Time.’ December 1646
Source C: The envoy sent by Henrietta Maria and her advisers to promote an agreement
between the king and army, later recalls the king’s private attitude to negotiations during July
and August 1647.
I informed His Majesty that many agitators feared Cromwell was untrustworthy, while Cromwell
saw himself as falsely accused of sinister intentions and protested that his heart was sincere.
Cromwell considered the king had saved the Independents from ruin by not consenting to the Scots
propositions at Newcastle. The Presbyterian party and the City of London opposed the army to death.
Hearing all this, the king responded to the army’s proposals very bitterly, saying that he most regretted
the Bill against Lord Strafford and hoped God had forgiven him for signing it. The king was convinced
that they could do nothing without his consent.
Sir John Berkeley, Memoirs, written during the reign of Charles II
of the Civil War 1603–1660 (Y108/01)
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
June 2026 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y108/01 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 Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 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.
, 2
Section A
The Execution of Charles I and the Interregnum 1646–1660
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Divisions amongst Charles I’s opponents were the main reason why negotiations failed during
1646 and 1647’.
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: Charles I, a prisoner of the Scottish army at Newcastle, writes to his wife about the
Newcastle Propositions submitted to him by Parliament.
1 July 1646. I have a true copy of the Newcastle Propositions and now assure you that I cannot
accept them without loss of my conscience, crown and honour. However, a flat denial is to be delayed
as long as possible.
31 August 1646. It is now rumoured that Parliament means to do their work without taking any
more notice of me. If we can use this time to persuade France and my other friends to support my
restoration to power, then all is not lost. I wish to go back to London, to study the Propositions and to
make my own counter‑proposals.
Charles I to Henrietta Maria, letters 1646
Source B: A prominent London Presbyterian preacher issues a pamphlet exposing the political
threat of religious Independents in the Army.
On 12 June 1646, a godly minister of this city told me about his discussion with an army major
concerning Church government. The major told him plainly that those in the Army who are called
Independents were not so much against Presbyterian government (though many thought they were)
as being tied to any government at all. They supported liberty of conscience, leaving everyone free to
believe what they pleased.
Thomas Edwards, ‘Gangraena, or a New Higher discovery of the Errors, Heresies,
Blasphemies, and Insolent Proceedings of the Sectaries of This Time.’ December 1646
Source C: The envoy sent by Henrietta Maria and her advisers to promote an agreement
between the king and army, later recalls the king’s private attitude to negotiations during July
and August 1647.
I informed His Majesty that many agitators feared Cromwell was untrustworthy, while Cromwell
saw himself as falsely accused of sinister intentions and protested that his heart was sincere.
Cromwell considered the king had saved the Independents from ruin by not consenting to the Scots
propositions at Newcastle. The Presbyterian party and the City of London opposed the army to death.
Hearing all this, the king responded to the army’s proposals very bitterly, saying that he most regretted
the Bill against Lord Strafford and hoped God had forgiven him for signing it. The king was convinced
that they could do nothing without his consent.
Sir John Berkeley, Memoirs, written during the reign of Charles II
