What were the two opposing sides in the English Civil War called?

The two opposing sides in the English Civil War were called Roundheads and Cavaliers. The Roundheads were supporters of Parliament and were primarily composed of Parliamentarians who opposed King Charles I's authoritarian rule. This side included various factions, including Puritans and other groups that favored a more parliamentary form of governance.

On the other hand, the Cavaliers were supporters of the king, representing the Royalist cause. They consisted of nobility, landowners, and those loyal to the monarchy. The term "Cavalier" itself was derived from the lifestyle and demeanor of the Royalist supporters, often portraying them as gallant knights.

This distinction is crucial for understanding the complex social and political landscape of the time, as it encapsulates the struggle between authority and emerging democratic ideals. The other options present different historical contexts: Monarchists and Republicans pertain to debates about monarchy versus republicanism more broadly, Patriots and Loyalists refer to the American Revolutionary War, and Federalists and Antifederalists relate to the debates over the U.S. Constitution.