Stuarts individuals https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/stuart-england/
James I
King of Eng from 1603
Succeeded Elizabeth I
VI of Scotland
Damned inheritance?
Mother Mary Queen of Scots
Puritan based education
Personality
believed he was capable of out-arguing almost anyone
Pragmatic also
Problems communicating with those who opposed him
didn't have to rule with a Parl there
Married Anne of Denmark
didn't get on but approved flings
James found respite by surrounding himself with young men
By English standards not very wealthy
Upon arrival to York, he asked Privy Council for money
Need for money is a dominating theme in his reign
fresh start for Parliament
easy going
others saw him as vulgar
didn't act king like
Firm believer of divine right of kings
Wrote book 1603 titled “The True Law of Free Monarchies”
stated belief that kings had absolute legal sovereignty within their state, a king had absolute freedom from executive action a king’s sole responsibility was to God.
Example 1604 Buckinghamshire Elections
weak argument but stuck to it
first clash with Parl
extravagant
spent Parliamentary subsidies
after gunpowder plot became closer to Parl an they grant him 3 subsidies
lavish spender
coronation cost £20,591
wife got used to fine clothes and jewels
treat family divinely like a a royal family should in his opinion
gifts to his favourites and Scottish folk
to compensate...
sold off crown lands
only short term solution
sold government offices and titles
he didn't consider ability, only price they were willing to pay
caused resentment
wasn't understanding of English public
they wanted to see James
James replied “God’s wounds! I will pull down my breeches and they shall see my arse!”
Robert Cecil Earl of Salisbury
Major political figure
demonstrated self-control and patience
Took on religious issues
did not want to persecute Catholics simply because of their religion
fine with Catholics as long as they were loyal to James
separated loyal Catholics from Jesuits
thought the same about moderate Puritans
However thought extreme Puritans were threat to society
The 1605 Gunpowder Plot made it easier to convince James that extreme Catholics should be hunted down
had to deal with the king’s extravagant spending habits
ordered not to reduce gov spending
had to think of ways in which he could increase James’s revenue
got more revenue from those who owned Crown land
Bate's Case July 1606
allowed the Crown to impose extra custom dues without the consent of Parliament if the aim was to regulate trade
Great Contract 1610
Stated James would give up his feudal rights in exchange for £200,000 a year
However Parliament distrusted James too much to simply give up his monarchical rights
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Charles I
Became king at 11
Unsuited to kingship
His older brother Henry was viewed as a model prince by political elite
Unprepared for role
Did not get along with Parliament