The Failure of monarchial government, 1625-40
Issues with Charles I and Parliament, 1625-29
Parliament:only granted Tonnage and Poundage for 1 year, grew resentful at Buckingham's influence and began impeaching him
Charles I: Divine Right of Kings, link to Catholic absolutism, raised money without consent of parliament (Forced Loan), Charles's character, Royal Prerogative
Charles I's character: poor communicator, responded badly to criticism, strong belief that as monarch he had absolute power
Religion: Charles married Catholic Henrietta Maria and showed clear preference for Arminianism (close to Catholicism) eg. promoted Laud to Bishop of London in 1628, also his authoritarian behaviour towards Parliament (Forced Loan) suggested absolutism
Personal Rule and its failure, 1629-40
Finance: ended wars with France and Spain, Ship Money, distraint of Knighthood, selling monopoly licenses, crown lands, Taxpayer's Strike
Religion: Laudian Reforms, welcomed an ambassador from the Pope to his court
Laudian Reforms: organs were installed, fonts were decorated, communion table was moved east (concerned Protestants), greater emphasis on the sacraments
Opposition: Hampden and the Ship Money Case, Burton, Bastwick and Prynne
Ship Money Case: Hampden refused to pay his Ship Money, judges found in the King's favour 7 to 5, yield fell to 20% of expected money in 1639
Burton, Bastwick and Prynne (3 Puritan writers): openly criticised Laud and the policies of the Church, ears cropped, Star Chamber
Scottish troubles: issued Book of Canons (1636) and English Prayer Book (1637), Bishop's Wars
First Bishop's War: Charles lacked money, signed the Treaty of Berwick
Second Bishop's War: Charles' badly funded and undertrained army were defeated by the Scots
Key Events
Crowns debt of £2 million in 1629 fell to £18,000 by 1635 and a balanced budget by 1637
Laud described the Church of Rome as the true church
1625: Charles I becomes King
1628: Petition of Right - attempt to curb the King's power
1629: Charles I dissolves Parliament - beginning of personal rule
1630: Treaty of Madrid ended war with Spain
1637: English Prayer Book introduced to Scottish Churches
1639: First Bishop's War
1640: Second Bishop's War
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