In the last few months of 1643, John Pym sought to establish an alliance with Scotland in order
to balance Charles I's superior forces.After ten days of debate, the Solemn League and Covenant was signed in Margaret's Church, Westminster, on September 25th.
The agreement gave each side what it wanted. Parliament wanted troops to support its military endeavours, and Scotland wanted religious reform that favoured its own church. Parliament had already abolished bishops, but Scotland wanted more than that.
Charles had made a truce with the Irish, which endangered Parliament (by freeing troops for use in England) and angered Scotland (since the Irish were not considered religious or God-fearing).
As a part of this agreement, Parliament rose monies in London to support an army of 21,000 men from Scotland. This new force marched South on January 19th, 1644.
The Text
The text of the Solemn League and Covenant was divided into six points, which are summarised
below.
The first dealt with the reform of the churches, and the keeping of the present Scottish church.
"...prefervation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland...reformation of Religion in
the kingdoms of England and Ireland...indeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three
kingdoms to the neereft coniunction and Uniformity in Religion."
The second specifically stated that the hierarchy of ecclesiastical rule would be abolished.
"...indeavour the extirpation of Popery...Church government by...all other Ecclefiafticall
Officers...and whatfoever shall be contrary to found Doctrine."
The third is interesting, since it shows the sincerity with which the parliamentarians wished to
re-establish Charles' rule, but on their own terms. It states that parliament will be defended,
but also that the king and the king's authority should be defended as well.
"...endeavour...to preferve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliaments...and to preferve
and defend the king's Majefties person and authority."
The fourth point justifies the war by ordering the seeking out of all who oppose the reforms.
"...endeavour the difcovery of all...Incendiaries, Malignants or evill Inftruments...
hindering the Reformation of Religion, dividing the king from his people, or one of the kingdoms
from another..."
The fifth point restates that the three kingdoms of England, Ireland and Scotland remain as a
union at peace.
"...indeavour that [the three kingdoms] may remain unioyned in a firm Peace an Union."
The sixth, and final, point confirms the alliance by stating that those who sign will assist and
defend each other.
"...affift and defend all thofe that enter in to this League and Covenant."