In 1644 the war had turned against Charles I. The King began to look for a peaceful end to the conflict.
The Treaty of Uxbridge was simply a series of debates aimed at ending the war.
It took place between 30 January and 22 February 1645.
The Treaty explored the future of religion in England, the control of the armed forces, and the situation in Ireland, where the Irish were at war with the English.
Both sides refused to change position. In the end, the Treaty did not achieve anything!
Uxbridge during the Treaty
Uxbridge was chosen for the negotiations because it was half way between London, where Parliament was based, and the King’s headquarters in Oxford.
The negotiations took place in Place House at the north end of the High Street. We know it today as the Crown and Treaty pub!
The Royalist negotiators took over the west side of the High Street. The Parliamentary negotiators took over the east side.
The negotiating teams
There were around 16 negotiators on each side, as well as a group of Parliamentary supporters from Scotland.
A big table was set up in Place House. The King’s supporters sat along two sides, the Parliamentary supporters sat along the other two.
Even on the same team, these men came from different backgrounds and had very different points of view.
At the time of the Treaty of Uxbridge in 1645, the house was owned by a Mr Bennett.
In the 18th century the central part of the house was demolished.
In 1800 the house became an inn, ‘The Crown’
In 1924 the wooden panelling in one room was removed by an American businessman. It ended up in the Empire State Building, New York.
In 1953 the panelling was returned to the Queen as a coronation gift. It was replaced in the original room of the inn.
The former Place House is now a pub and restaurant - 'The Crown and Treaty'.
