Heads of the Proposals

Heads of the Proposals, 1647. In June 1647 the army had taken custody of Charles I and, in the course of July, Lambert and Ireton worked out a basis for negotiation. The monarchy was to continue and to retain its veto; episcopacy was confirmed, though the bishops were to lose their coercive authority; there were to be guarantees of religious toleration; the militia was to be under the control of Parliament for ten years; parliaments were to be biennial and were to be elected on a reformed system. There was to be a council of state. Though these proposals were remarkably conciliatory in the aftermath of civil war, Charles rejected them out of hand.