Covenanters

Quick Facts: Who was Covenanters?

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Covenanters

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A 17th-century Scottish religious movement defending Presbyterianism against royal authority.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Covenanters were members of a 17th-century Scottish religious and political movement, who supported a Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the primacy of its leaders in religious affairs. It originated in disputes with James VI and his son Charles I over church organisation and doctrine, but expanded into political conflict over the limits of royal authority. In 1638, thousands of Scots signed the National Covenant, pledging to resist changes in religious practice imposed by Charles. This led to the 1639 and 1640 Bishops' Wars, which ended with the Covenanters in control of the Scottish government. In response to the Irish Rebellion of 1641, Covenanter troops were sent to Ireland, and the 1643 Solemn League and Covenant brought them into the First English Civil War on the side of Parliament.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

As the Wars of the Three Kingdoms progressed, many Covenanters came to view English religious Independents like Oliver Cromwell as a greater threat than the Royalists, particularly their opposition to state religion. During the 1648 Second English Civil War, a Covenanter faction known as Engagers allied with Scots and English Royalists. A Scottish army invaded England, but was defeated. The Kirk Party now gained political power, and in 1650, agreed to provide Charles II with Scottish military support to regain the English throne, then crowned him King of Britain in 1651. Scotland lost the subsequent Anglo-Scottish War of 1650 to 1652 and was absorbed into the Commonwealth of England.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Kirk lost its position as the state church, and the rulings of its assemblies were no longer enforced by law. Following the 1660 Stuart Restoration, the Parliament of Scotland passed laws reversing reforms enacted since 1639. Bishops were restored to the Kirk, while ministers and other officeholders were obliged to take the Oath of Abjuration rejecting the 1638 Covenant. As a result, many Covenanters opposed the new regime, leading to a series of plots and armed rebellions. After the 1688 Glorious Revolution in Scotland, the Church of Scotland was re-established as a wholly Presbyterian structure and most Covenanters readmitted.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1638: 1638 Milestone — In 1638, thousands of Scots signed the National Covenant, pledging to resist changes in religious practice imposed by Charles.
2. 1639: 1639 Milestone — This led to the 1639 and 1640 Bishops' Wars, which ended with the Covenanters in control of the Scottish government.
3. 1641: 1641 Milestone — In response to the Irish Rebellion of 1641, Covenanter troops were sent to Ireland, and the 1643 Solemn League and Covenant brought them into the First English Civil War on the side of Parliament.
4. 1648: 1648 Milestone — During the 1648 Second English Civil War, a Covenanter faction known as Engagers allied with Scots and English Royalists.
5. 1650: 1650 Milestone — The Kirk Party now gained political power, and in 1650, agreed to provide Charles II with Scottish military support to regain the English throne, then crowned him King of Britain in 1651.
6. 1660: 1660 Milestone — Following the 1660 Stuart Restoration, the Parliament of Scotland passed laws reversing reforms enacted since 1639.
7. 1688: 1688 Milestone — After the 1688 Glorious Revolution in Scotland, the Church of Scotland was re-established as a wholly Presbyterian structure and most Covenanters readmitted.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Covenanters

True or False: “The Covenanters' initial opposition to Charles I was primarily focused on resisting changes in religious practice, not solely political power.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): While the conflict became deeply political, the movement originated from disputes over church organization and doctrine, exemplified by resistance to liturgical 'innovations'.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland — Historical peer (Born in 1640) (1640): Notorious English royal mistress and Duchess of Cleveland, famed for her connection to Charles II.
• Anne Hutchinson — Historical peer (Died in 1643) (1643): Pioneering religious figure whose challenge to Puritan orthodoxy sparked major colonial schisms.
• Benedetto Castelli — Historical peer (Died in 1643) (1643): Italian mathematician known for his association with Galileo and his work in hydraulics.
• Christian IV of Denmark — Historical peer (Died in 1648) (1648): Long-reigning monarch of Denmark and Norway; architect of ambitious reforms and military expansion.
• Tirso de Molina — Historical peer (Died in 1648) (1648): Spanish Baroque dramatist and Mercedarian friar, known for creating Don Juan.

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