The Reigns of James I and Charles I
James I:
James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Queen of Scots,
First Stuart ruler
 True Law of Free Monarchy
His book. Free from Parliament, churchmen, and past laws and customs. He is “father’ to his people.
Also believes in Divine Right
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Gunpowder Plot
Nov. 5. 36 barrels of gunpowder were hidden under the House of Lords. Organized by Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes
hid in the cellar – wanted a return to Catholic. Word got out, Fawkes was executed.
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Achievements
 King James version of Bible -1611 made Puritans happy
 Jamestown – first permanent English colony in N. America
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Problems with Parliament over Money and Religion
Parliament refused money so James raised money by
1. selling titles of nobility
2. granting monopolies to private companies
3. increasing tonnage/poundage fees
4 increasing feudal dues
Charles I:
Son of James
 Problems with Parliament over Money and Religion
 1626: became involved in a war w/Spain. Parliament called, dismissed upon refusal to
grant funds
Charles’ reaction
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Forced Loans from knights and nobles. Pay or be executed
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1627: became involved in a war w/France
Charles’ reaction
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1628: Parliament called once again. Parliament refused to grant any funds until Charles
signed the Petition of Right.
1. Couldn’t imprison subjects without due cause
2. No forced loans or levy of taxes without consent of Parliament
3. No quartering of soldiers without owners consent
4. No martial law in peacetime
After Charles signed the Petition, he then ignored it. When Parliament complained, he
dismissed it.
“Ship money” and John Hampden Charles thought interior counties should provide funds for the building of
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Quartered soldiers – house them in civilian homes. Difficult for poor families
ships for the defense of the country. Previously only coastal cities paid. John Hampden takes this to court. Hampden loses
– everybody pays. Leads to the central issue of the English Revolution. Who would rule, King as absolute ruler or the
Parliament? And would Parliament be willing to assume the responsibility for ruling?
 Archbishop Laud and the Scots
Charles ordered Laud to require the Scots to use the Book of Common Prayer. This angered the Presbyterian
Scots
 Scots swear to National Covenant and gather army to attack England
 National Covenant – a death oath to defend their religious freedom and the rights of their own Scottish
Parliament
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1640: Long Parliament called into session. Actions taken by Long Parliament include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Abolished the king’s power to dissolve Parliament
Parliament must meet at least once every three years.
ends all forms of illegal taxation
Abolished the court of star chamber
Puritans in Parliament managed to get a law passed dissolving office of bishop.
* At the same time Charles faced a possible war with Scotland, the Irish rebelled
 Charles attacked Parliament with 400 swordsmen and the Civil War began
 Civil War began
Civil War
 Royalists/Cavaliers Supporters of the king. Anglicans, Roman Catholics, nobles and anyone who
disagreed with Puritans on political or religious issues
 Roundheads Puritans who supported Parliament. Anyone who believed the powers of the king should be curbed.
Supporters were divided into 2 groups”
 Presbyterians – wanted a national Calvinist church with ministers elected by lay elders and wanted a
negotiated settlement with the King
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Independents – wanted a loose confederation of local churches, favored some religious toleration,
despised the king
 Cromwell and the New Model Army – slogan, “those who pray best, fight best.” His army was well disciplined,
well drilled and marched into battle singing hymns
 Charles I surrendered to the Scots after two defeats
 Pride’s Purge –get rid of members who still supported the king - done by Colonel Pride
 Rump Parliament –those left sitting in Parliament. Goes from 400 to 60. They abolished the monarchy,
abolished the House of Lords, and abolished the Anglican church. Declared a commonwealth or Republic for
England
 Trial and execution of Charles I – a special court tried Charles for treason. He was
executed in 1649. (brave) His son, Charles II fled to France.