The English Civil War was fought between 1642 and 1648 and the country was split, those who supported the King were known as Royalists or Cavaliers while those who supported Parliament were referred to as Parliamentarians or Roundheads. King Charles I had upset Parliament and the people for lots of reasons including heavy taxes and changes in religious practices and a war against Scotland.
The King began the War by raising his standard at Nottingham in August 1642. Ordinary people throughout the country were forced to choose which side they were on. In the majority of cases this choice was made or then as they simply joined the army that reached their city or town first.
In England support remained much the same throughout 1642 and 1643 but following Parliamentarian victories in 1644 and 1645, people began to change sides. Jersey largely remained loyal to the King because the de Carteret family were in control of the island.
Charles II gave George Carteret a large piece of land in America in thanks for all his help and support during the Civil War. George Carteret called this piece of land 'New Jersey'. New Jersey is one of the smallest states in America and is nicknamed the 'Garden State'.
The two sides in the English Civil War were easily identifiable by their clothes, religion and class.
I am a Catholic
I believe the King is appointed by God
I'm from the countryside
I have long hair & wear fancy clothes
I am a Royalist
I am a puritan
I believe the king should answer to parliament
I am from a town
I have short hair and dress plainly
I am a Parliamentarian
During the English Civil War the King's son, the Prince of Wales who was later crowned as King Charles II, visited the Island twice. On one of these visits he gave Laurens Hampton permission to rebuild the colombier (the dovecote) at Hamptonne. This was a great privilege as only manors were allowed them. What makes this colombier unusual is that it is square.
On 17 February 1649 Laurens Hampton read the proclamation naming Charles as the new king after his father's execution. It was first read in the Market Place (Royal Square), then later at Elizabeth Castle and Mont Orgueil. This meant that Charles II's 'reign' began in Jersey in 1649, 11 years before he was crowned in England.The original document, written in French, is preserved at Jersey Museum.
I am the prince of Wales, later crowned King Charles the Second