Editing John Pym (section)

===Leader of the opposition; 1640 to 1641===
[[File:John Hampden portrait.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|[[John Hampden]]; Pym's colleague, and one of the [[Five Members]]]]

Following defeat in the first of the [[Bishops Wars]], Charles recalled Parliament in April 1640. When the [[Short Parliament]] refused to vote him taxes without political concessions, he dissolved it after only three weeks. When the [[Treaty of Ripon]] imposed by the Scots after a second defeat forced him to hold fresh elections in November, Pym became the unofficial leader of the opposition.{{sfn|Jessup|2013|p=25}} 

Historians like [[Timothy J. G. Harris|Tim Harris]] argue that, with the exception of a few extremists, by 1640 there was general consensus attempts to rule without Parliament had gone too far. This changed after the [[Grand Remonstrance]] in November 1641, when [[Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchists]] like Clarendon switched sides, arguing Parliament now wanted too much.{{sfn|Harris|2014|pp=457–458}}

Where Pym differed from Clarendon, and many of his own colleagues, was recognising Charles would not keep commitments he felt had been forced from him. Even during negotiations with Parliament, he and [[Henrietta Maria of France|Henrietta Maria]] openly told foreign ambassadors any concessions were temporary, and would be retrieved by force if needed. These suspicions increased after [[Irish Rebellion of 1641|October 1641]], when Irish Catholic rebels claimed his approval for their actions. Many believed them, given previous attempts by Charles to use Irish troops against the Scots, and his initial refusal to condemn the rebellion.{{sfn|Wedgwood|1958|pp=26–27}}

However, Pym was hampered by the fact Charles was essential to a stable government and society. Regardless of religion or political belief, in 1642 the vast majority believed a 'well-ordered' monarchy was divinely mandated; where they disagreed was what 'well-ordered' meant, and who held ultimate authority in clerical affairs. [[Cavalier|Royalists]] generally supported a [[Church of England]] governed by [[Episcopal polity|bishops]], appointed by, and answerable to, the king; [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]] believed he was answerable to the leaders of the church, appointed by their congregations.{{sfn|Macleod|2009|pp=5–19 passim}}

[[Puritan]] was a term for anyone who wanted to reform, or 'purify', the Church of England, and contained many different sects. [[Presbyterian polity|Presbyterians]] were the most prominent, and included leaders like Pym and [[John Hampden]], but there were many others, such as [[Congregational church|Congregationalists]], often grouped together as [[Independent (religion)|Independents]]. Close links between religion and politics added further complexity; one reason for opposition to bishops was their presence in the [[House of Lords]], where they often blocked Parliamentary legislation. Their removal by the [[Clergy Act 1640]] was a major step along the road to war.{{sfn|Wedgwood|1958|p=31}}

Most Presbyterians were political conservatives, who believed in a limited electorate, and wanted to keep the Church of England, but as a reformed, Presbyterian body, similar to the [[Church of Scotland]]. In general, England was a structured, socially conservative, and largely peaceful society, while the devastation caused by the Thirty Years' War meant many wanted to avoid conflict at any cost. Pym was one of the few who believed only military defeat would force Charles into agreeing meaningful reforms.{{sfn|Wedgwood|1958|p=253}}