Who were ‘Cavaliers’ and ‘the round Heads’?

During the reign of Charles I no compromise was possible between the despotic Charles and Parliament consisting mainly of elements hostile to the King.

The stress and strain in national life increased resulting in the civil War between the King and the Parliament which broke out in 1640. The nation was divided into two factions – the supporters of the King, known as the Cavalier’s and the supporters of the Parliament, mainly Puritans, known as ‘the Round Heads’.