TheTreaty of Newport was a failed treaty between Parliament and KingCharles I of England, intended to bring an end to the hostilities of theEnglish Civil War. Negotiations were conducted between 15 September 1648 and 27 November 1648, atNewport, Isle of Wight, on the initial proviso that they would not take longer than forty days (negotiations had effectively broken down by 27 October but continued formally to November). Charles was released on parole from his confinement atCarisbrooke Castle and lodged in Newport.[1][2]
Charles began proceedings by withdrawing his declarations against Parliament but also insisted that no concessions he made should be valid until a complete scheme of settlement should be arranged; this led to an air of unreality from the beginning.[3] This is heightened by the fact that Charles secretly sent word toJames Butler, 1st Marquis of Ormond not to abide by any settlement reached at Newport.
Parliament appointed fifteen Commissioners.Denzil Holles led a faction that represented a more conservative, Presbyterian interest, and were more inclined for a settlement that favoured the Crown.Henry Vane the Younger led a faction that represented a more moderate, Independent interest, and though they were by no means radical, they acted to secure a settlement which would guarantee the rights gained by Parliament in the Puritan Revolution. It was the influence of the Presbyterians that led to the Parliamentary decision to rescind theVote of No Addresses from earlier in 1648 in order to allow the talks to occur.[4]
Presbyterian and Middle Group MPs were prepared to continue negotiating with Charles in order to reach a permanent settlement. However, Army radicals had lost patience with him and grew angry when Parliament appeared willing to allow him to come to London to complete the settlement and Vane andHenry Ireton decided to return Charles toHurst Castle on the mainland.
Thepurged Parliament annulled the Treaty of Newport on 13 December 1648 and preparations for the trial went ahead.
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