The Bishops' Wars
1637 Charles and Laud tried to force Scotland in line with their interpretation of the Church of England, imposing a new Book of Common Prayer - not through a Scottish Assembly but by proclamation from Whitehall, claiming that he was acting in the capacity of Head of the Church of Scotland. As well as this, Charles tried to bring some sort of order to the Scottish clergy.

The Scots saw this as unwelcome interference in their ecclesiastical affairs and a riot was started in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh on 23rd July. This was the spark that ignited the general unrest that followed.

 
1638 The Scottish Covenant was formed in February 1638, swearing to defend Presbyterianism by force and many members of the Scottish Assembly and the gentry signed up to it. The King's representative, the Marquis of Hamilton, declared the Assembly dissolved on 24th November...but he was ignored...and the Assembly went on to abolish bishops completely...and then dismissed itself.
1639 Charles felt he had to meet rebellion with force and took an army north to march into Scotland but it was very short of funds. The Scottish military was better organised.

Charles led his army into Scotland but had to return without fighting a battle.

June. The Treaty of Berwick ends the First Bishops' War.
1640 Charles summoned (the Short) Parliament to try to raise funds for another campaign against the Scots...but this failed.

Strafford had been in Ireland raising troops when he was recalled to lead the King's armies.

In August, the Scots moved into England without meeting much opposition...in fact they encountered a lot of support on the way.

The Scots routed the English forces at Newburn. The English troops fighting for pay proved no match for the Scots troops fighting for religion. The Scots advanced to Newcastle and took control over the coal supplies.

The Treaty of Ripon was signed to bring an end to the Second Bishops' War. The Scots held all the advantages and Charles had to agree to pay their troops an indemnity of £850 a day pending a permanent settlement...and he did not have the funds for this, so in November he had to recall (the Long) Parliament.