The King, baffled in his purpose, resolved to coerce Parliament by
military force. He left London in 1642, never to return until he came
as a prisoner, and was delivered into the custody of that legislative
body that he had insulted and defied. Parliament now attempted to
come to an understanding with the King.
There was then no standing army in England, but each county and large
town had a body of militia, formed of citizens who were occasionally
mustered for drill. This militia was under the control of the King.
Parliament insisted on his resigning that control to them. Charles
refused to give up his undoubted constitutional right in the matter,
and raised the royal flag at Nottingham, August, 1642. Parliament
then organized an army of its own, and the war began.