In what year did the civil war between King Charles I and Parliament begin?

The English Civil War, a really pivotal moment in British history, kicked off in 1642. To understand why, think about the growing tensions between King Charles I and Parliament. Charles believed in the 'Divine Right of Kings,' meaning he thought God gave him absolute authority. Parliament, on the other hand, wanted more say in how the country was run, especially when it came to things like taxes and laws. Charles's attempts to raise money without Parliament's consent and his religious policies fueled the fire. Things came to a head when Charles tried to arrest five members of Parliament, which was the spark that ignited the war. So, while the other dates might seem plausible, 1642 is the specific year when the fighting actually started, dividing the country between Royalists (supporters of the King) and Parliamentarians (supporters of Parliament). It's a conflict that ultimately led to Charles I's execution and a brief period where Britain was a republic.