The Treaty of Ripon was a crucial accord signed in late October, aimed at restoring peace between Covenanter Scotland and King Charles I of England. The backdrop for this treaty consisted of heightened tensions and open conflict arising from the imposition of English religious practices in Scotland, which sparked the Bishops' Wars. The Covenanters, a group of Scottish Presbyterians, strongly opposed the king's attempts at enforcing Anglicanism through the Prayer Book and the bishopric system. Following significant military engagements, the Scots managed to capture Newcastle, effectively putting pressure on the English Crown.

Negotiations took place in Ripon, Yorkshire, where both parties recognized the necessity to quell the ongoing strife and restore order. The treaty stipulated the withdrawal of English troops from Scotland and guaranteed the working of the Scottish Covenant, which affirmed the authority and governance of the Covenanters. This agreement demonstrated the power shift in the relationship between the Scottish and English crowns, highlighting the growing assertiveness of Scottish political factions against royal authority. Furthermore, it initiated discussions about governance and religion that would significantly impact the British Isles in the ensuing years.

The Treaty of Ripon is often regarded as a precursor to the more substantial events of the English Civil War, as it set a precedent for political negotiations and conflict resolution in the context of sovereignty and religious freedoms. The treaty's revelations about the pliability of royal power and the insistence of the Covenanters indicated that Scotland's voice would become increasingly influential in British politics, steering the course toward conflict and eventual reform.