In the 1640's, King Charles I of England faced an uprising from Parliament which ultimately led to his defeat and execution.  At this time, Parliament was made up of the gentry and merchants who were driving the country's economic expansion.  Their frustration at financial and commercial restrictions and foreign policy came to a head when Charles I came to parliament in 1639 asking for financial support against uprisings in Scotland.

When this was refused, Charles I suspended Parliament only to suffer defeat at the hands of the Scots who took land in Northumberland and Durham.  When Parliament re-opened continued tensions between Royalists, supporting the King and the Parliamentarians grew to the stage when Charles attempted to arrest the leader of Parliament, John Pym and civil war was inevitable.

Parliament was joined by the Scots in the war against the King, arresting him in 1647.  He escaped however to the Isle of Wight, where he attempted to negotiate separately with Parliament and the Scots.  

Oliver Cromwell had now risen to power and had a strong grip, defeating uprisings in Wales, Kent and Essex, and the Scots at Preston in 1648.  Parliament established a high court which found Charles guilty of treason and he was beheaded in 1649. 

Charles's son Charles II, attempted to gain recognition in parts of Ireland and Scotland, but was forced to flee to mainland Europe until 1660 when he was restored as the monarch.

Many Burke's families featured in the Civil War, including Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, who advised the King, Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, who led the Parliamentary army, and Alexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Leven, who led a Scottish army against the King.