This is a timeline of events leading up to, culminating in, and resulting from the English Civil Wars.

Events prior to the English Civil War

• 1625 Charles I of England accedes to the English throne, and shortly after marries a French Roman Catholic princess, Henrietta Maria
• 1626 Parliament dismisses George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham from command of English forces in Europe; Charles, furious, dismisses Parliament.
• 1628 Charles recalls Parliament; Parliament draws up Petition of Right which Charles reluctantly accepts.
• 1633 William Laud appointed arch-bishop of Canterbury

• 1637 Charles attempts to impose Anglican services on the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Jenny Geddes reacts starting a tumult which leads to the National Covenant.
• 1639 - 1640 Bishops' Wars in Scotland.

1640

• 1640 Charles recalls Parliament to raise funds: this was the Short Parliament, which was promptly dismissed by Charles
• October 26 1640 Charles forced to sign the Treaty of Ripon
• November 1640 Charles again summons Parliament; this was the Long Parliament

1641

• October Rebellion breaks out in Ireland against English rule.

1642 until the outbreak of the Civil War

The First English Civil War

Events of 1642

• August 22 Charles I of England raises his standard at Nottingham and the war commences
• October 23 1642 The Battle of Edgehill

Events of 1643

Events of 1644

Events of 1645

• June 16 1645 Battle of Naseby

Events of 1646

• June 1646 The first English Civil War concludes after the surrender of Oxford

The lull between the two English Civil Wars

The Second English Civil War

Events of 1647

Events of 1648

December 1648 Pride's Purge, when troops under Colonel Pride removed opponents of Oliver Cromwell from Parliament by force of arms.

Events of 1649

• 20 January 1649 The trial of Charles I of England begins
• 27 January 1649 The death warrant of Charles I of England is signed
• 30 January 1649 Charles I of England executed by beheading