Speech against Personal Rule
Grimston condemns illegal taxation, religious corruption and mistreatment of political opponents.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1640 in England — Page 6
Explore 237 historical events and records for England in 1640.
Historical records for England in 1640
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 37 of 237 unique records.
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November
Arrival in London
Strafford returns to face the hostile Long Parliament despite warnings from allies.
Preparation of Strafford Impeachment
Pym and his allies prepared to strike against Strafford before the Earl could act against them.
House of Lords Custody
The Lords ordered Strafford into custody after the Commons delivered its impeachment accusation.
Impeachment of Strafford
The Commons impeaches Strafford for high treason and attacks his conduct of government.
Strafford Impeachment Motion
Pym moves rapidly to impeach Strafford as the principal architect of arbitrary government.
Committed to Tower of London
Strafford is committed to the Tower after the Commons presents its impeachment.
Strafford Taken to Tower
Strafford enters the Tower while the Lords consider the impeachment accusations.
Return from Imprisonment
Burton returns publicly after punishment for attacking episcopal religious policy.
Return to London
Bastwick receives a popular welcome after release from island imprisonment.
Triumphal Return to London
Crowds welcome Prynne back from imprisonment imposed by the prerogative courts.
Petitions Received by Long Parliament
Pym encourages committees to hear petitions from people harmed during Personal Rule.
Strafford Charges Prepared
Glynne assists parliamentary preparation of the legal case against Strafford.
December
Advocacy of Church Reform
Rous supports comprehensive reform of church government after the petition arrives.
Presentation of Root and Branch Petition
Penington presents a mass London petition calling for abolition of episcopacy.
Root and Branch Petition
Rous supports the petition demanding abolition of episcopal church government.
Root and Branch Petition Presented
A mass petition asks Parliament to abolish episcopacy within the Church of England.
Root and Branch Petition Presented
A mass petition asks Parliament to abolish episcopacy within the Church of England.
Scottish Commissioners Complaint
Scottish commissioners submitted accusations concerning Strafford's role in the wars and his actions against Scots in Ireland.
Impeachment of Archbishop Laud
The Commons impeaches Laud for high treason and attacks his religious policies.
Parliamentary Accusations against Wren
Parliament investigates Wren’s enforcement of Laudian religious practices.
Impeachment Proceedings against Finch
The Commons prepares charges over ship money judgments and abuses of judicial authority.
Flight from England
Finch flees abroad to avoid parliamentary prosecution for conduct during Personal Rule.
Annual Parliaments Bill
Cromwell moves the second reading of a bill proposing annual parliamentary sessions.
Debate on Episcopacy
Dering criticises abuses by bishops while initially favouring reformed episcopal government.
Investigation of Ship Money Judges
Hampden supports inquiries into judges who upheld the national ship money levy.
Parliamentary Reform Activity
Cromwell supports measures intended to prevent another prolonged suspension of Parliament.
Strafford Council Notes Revealed
Vane supplies notes used to argue that Strafford advocated government beyond legal restraint.
Other events (month unknown)
Catholic Court Suspicions
The presence of Marie de Medici and her household intensifies fears of Catholic influence.
Catholic Court Suspicions
The presence of Marie de Medici and her household intensifies fears of Catholic influence.
Comments on Descartes Discourse and Optics
Hobbes sends Marin Mersenne comments on works by Rene Descartes, beginning a direct philosophical exchange.
Departure for Paris in Political Crisis
As political conflict deepens in England, Hobbes leaves for Paris and remains on the Continent for more than a decade.
Diary Begins
The sequence of notes and memoir material later known as Evelyn's Diary begins.
Elements of Law
Hobbes circulates The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic.
Long Parliament
Hyde is elected to the Long Parliament.
Scottish Occupation of Northern Counties
Scottish troops remain in northern England pending a permanent settlement.
Scottish Occupation of Northern Counties
Scottish troops remain in northern England pending a permanent settlement.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.