In 1603, "Queen Elisabeth I" passed away, and James I came to the thrown unifying the English and Scottish thrown. As Scotland posed less of a threat to England, many key castles were sold off including Scarborough Castle. Scarborough Castle was sold to a prominent family known as the Thompsons. William Thompson was to pass the Castle back to the crown under "Charles II"

In 1625, "James I" passes away, and Charles I comes to the thrown.

"Charles I" disputes with Parliament (two houses) revolved around what were perceived as illegal taxation and royal intolerance, and "Charles I" attempts to take control of ruling the country from the "House Of Commons".

In 1642 Parliament writes a bill effectively giving control of the army to Parliament. "Charles I" refuses. The King is now in York with most of his loyal troops. This, in effect, starts a civil war.

This civil war not only fell along political lines but also religious. It challenged the age old debate on the divine rule of Kings, and would pit family members against family members, and allegiances changed with changes in fortune.

In Scarborough, Hugh Cholmley was sent to hold Scarborough by the Parliamentarians. He held the town for five months against loyalist skirmishes before becoming disillusioned with parliament and changing sides. The town of Scarborough was important for the loyalists because it was strategic in controlling coastal trade, and "Charles I" had his principle army station in the north at York.

Parliamentarian forces under Sir John Meldrum attacked the town in 1645. The Loyalist took refuge first at St Mary's church, and then at the Castle under the command of Hugh Cholmley. Sir John Meldrum dies of received wounds, and Sir Matthew Boynton takes control of the parliamentarian forces. The seige lasts for five months. It is during this time that the massive wall of the castle keep shears away and the building collapses. On July 25 the Castle Loyalists accept honourable terms of surrender. The town is completely in parliamentarian hands, though the sentiments are largely loyalist.

Parliament ordered a repair of the castle and Col. Matthew Boynton (the son of Sir Matthew Boynton) takes command of the castle. In due course Col Matthew Boynton switches allegiance to the loyalists.

The town and Castle is seiged again in 1648, and again, the loyalists accept honourable terms of surrender. This time the Castle keep is destroyed to ensure it cannot be used as a fortress again.

From around 1650 the Castle serves as a prison. One of its most famous prisoners was George Fox (Sept 1665 to Sep 1666) the founder of the Society Of Friends (Quakers).

Although England could NOT be considered a religiously tolerant place to live at this time, there were a whole host of protestant splinter religions coming to the fore. A little over a century ago, to be anything other than Catholic would have meant horrific death. During this period radicals generally just ended up in jail. The sixteen hundreds saw many laws outlawing torture and Indulgences permitting freedom of worship. People were becoming literate, and were trying to become more accepting of differing religious views. The exception to this was the Catholics who received severe abuse especially in Ireland when England was under Cromwell's rule.

In 1649 "Charles I" is executed, and the Monarchy along with the House Of Lords is abolished, and by 1653 Oliver Cromwell becomes head of state.

In 1660 Cromwell dies, and Charles II restore the monarchy to England.

In 1685 Charles II dies, and his brother James II takes the thrown. He is accused of Catholic sympathies and has to abdicate in 1689. The thrown then goes to "William III and Mary II" as joint sovereigns

In the mean time, Spa water discovered in Scarborough by Mrs Elisabeth Farrow in 1626, and written about by Dr Robert Wittie in 1660, is slowly turning Scarborough into a key location for therapeutic treatment and rejuvenation for the sick. The introduction of a national coaching network and the beginnings of a postal system was also making travel and communication easier for the masses.

William Shakespeare and Sir Isaac Newton are a couple of the key characters from this era that demonstrate how the people of England were becoming more socially and intellectually astute.