After talks between Charles and Parliament broke down in late 1647, he took part in the 1648 Second English Civil War as a Royalist; captured in July, he was executed in March 1649. Despite these changes in allegiance, Rich claimed he had always been faithful to Parliament and never changed the 'principles that ever I professed". This was a view shared by many Parliamentarian moderates, particularly after the Execution of Charles I in January 1649.