The tensions between King Charles I and the English Parliament were increasing in the late 1630s due to the religious policies of the King in Scotland. Charles attempted to impose Anglican practices upon the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, including the imposition of a new prayer book, which was firmly resisted. The resistance resulted in the Bishops' Wars (1639–1640), during which Scottish armies invaded northern England. The financial costs of these wars compelled Charles to seek parliamentary assistance, thereby ending his eleven years of personal rule.

Religious Policies and Scottish Opposition

King Charles I's reign was marked by efforts to enforce religious uniformity within his kingdoms. In Scotland, a nation steeped in Presbyterian tradition, Charles's religious policies were viewed as an affront to their religious autonomy. The imposition of the Anglican prayer book in 1637 instigated general dissatisfaction, and the formation of the National Covenant—a promise to maintain Presbyterianism and resist royal intrusion. The movement gained momentum speedily, rebelling against the King's powers and paving the way for military conflict.

The Bishops' Wars and Financial Burden

The First Bishops' War in 1639 ended with little conflict, as each side attempted to avoid bloodshed. But exceptional grievances brought about the Second Bishops' War of 1640, when Scottish Covenanters crossed the border and conquered key places. The seizure of these places left Charles under colossal financial pressure and without cash to counter effectively with military forces. He needed funds, and in desperation, he summoned the English Parliament, which marked an end to his solitary rule.

The Short Parliament

In April 1640, Charles called what would become known as the Short Parliament, requesting subsidies to finance his war against the Scots. But MPs were more concerned with remedying grievances accumulated during the King's personal rule, like gripes about taxation without consent and abuses of power. Indignant at their reluctance to vote money without concessions, Charles dissolved Parliament after only three weeks without receiving the funds he required.

The Treaty of Ripon and the Long Parliament

Following the Short Parliament's dissolution, the Scottish forces continued in occupation and the financial strain on the English crown increased. In October 1640, Charles was forced to sign the Treaty of Ripon, under which he was to pay the Scottish forces a daily allowance of £850 until a permanent agreement could be reached. In need of these monies without parliamentary approval, Charles summoned the Long Parliament in November of 1640. This group would play a key role in the lead-up to the English Civil War, as it attempted to curb royal prerogatives and address grievances long-standing.

Conclusion

The invasion of England by the Scots and the consequent financial crisis served to break the impasse between King Charles I and Parliament. The necessity to locate funds with which to defend against the threat posed by the Scots forced Charles to summon Parliament, thereby commencing a chain of events which would eventually give rise to civil war and transient overthrow of the monarchy.