Stuart Kings v. Parliament
What Did They Clash Over?
Absolutism v. Constitutionalism -- Should there be limits on the power of the king?
“Power of the Purse” – Parliament sought to protect its right to approve all new taxes in England
Religion – Protestant-dominated Parliament thought Stuart kings were too Catholic-friendly
One legal religion: Church of England  Governed by monarch (because of Elizabeth I’s Act of Supremacy)
C. of England combined Calvinist doctrine/Catholic ritual
Puritans were devout English Calvinists who wanted to …
- Eliminate all remaining Catholic rituals in the Church of
England
- Replace the Church of England’s king-controlled episcopal system of church governance with the more democratic
presbyterian system
- Puritans eventually split into two factions:
- Presbyterians: Sought presbyterian system (majority of
Puritans)
- Independents: Sought complete independence for each church congregation in England (Oliver Cromwell was one)
Gunpowder Plot (1605) – A failed Catholic attempt to restore Catholicism to England by killing King James I and most of Parliament – Thereafter Englishmen became even more distrustful of Catholics
Fought between supporters of Parliament (Roundheads) and supporters of King Charles I (Cavaliers)
Puritans tended to support Parliament
Began when Charles I unsuccessfully tried to arrest the members of Parliament
Parliamentary forces (New Model Army) led by Oliver
Cromwell – Very disciplined and effective
Once Charles I defeated & captured, Roundheads disagreed over what to do with king o Presbyterians opposed to execution (majority) o Independents (led by Cromwell) wanted execution
Cromwell got his way by expelling Presbyterians from
Parliament by force (Pride’s Purge) – The remaining members (the Rump Parliament) voted for execution
January 30, 1649: Charles I executed
James I Charles I Cromwell Charles II James II
- Replaced Elizabeth I
- Defended “divine right”
- Tried to rule w/o Parliament
- Used questionable means to
- Rejected request of Puritans raise money for presbyterian system (“No - “Forced loans” bishop, no king”)
- Survived the Gunpowder
Plot
- Ship money!
- Quartering of troops
- Led New Model Army
during English Civil War
- Led the “republic” (Common-
wealth) created after execution
- Invited by Parliament
to reestablish monarchy
(The Restoration)
- Remembered as Merry
- Openly Catholic
(but tolerated because
he was to be succeeded
by his Protestant
of Charles I Monarch (compared to daughters)
- Ruled England as virtual military Cromwell) - Permitted free worship
- Sought to introduce more Catholic dictator(“Lord Protector”) - Unsuccessfully tried to for Catholics (Declaration
elements in Church of England - Like Charles I, ignored Parliament increase religious toleration of Indulgence)
- Forced to call Parliament when and dismissed it for Catholics - Ignored rights of Church of
Scotland rebelled against him - Tried to impose Puritan restrictions - Might have converted to England and Parliament
- Tried to arrest members of on life in England (very unpopular) Catholicism on deathbed - Overthrown in
Parliament – English Civil War! - Fought frequent, expensive wars! Glorious Revolution once
- Executed! he had new baby son
William of Orange and wife Mary (James II’s daughter) invited to overthrow James II after he had son (who would be raised Catholic and succeed him)
James II fled kingdom – Little bloodshed!
William and Mary agreed to rule according to new document produced by Parliament, the Bill of Rights
Began 1600s as strongest power in Europe
Repeatedly bankrupted by excessive spending on war
(e.g. Thirty Years’ War)
Rulers unable to check power of Spanish nobility
(1/5 of population)
Internal revolts!
By middle of 1600s, Spain was in undeniable decline
Following 1648 Peace of Westphalia at end of Thirty Years’
War, H.R.E. ceased to have political significance b/c each state was given high degree of autonomy  Most powerful states were Austria (Habsburgs) and Brandenburg-Prussia
(Hohenzollerns)
Brandenburg-Prussia o Ruled by Hohenzollern family o United several German states into Prussian state o Depended upon strong standing army for defense, initially built by Frederick William the Great Elector o Prussian nobles (Junkers) gave up voice in govt. in exchange for highest ranks in army, tax exemptions, and complete control over serfs
- Parliament’s “power of purse” reaffirmed
- Parliament to be called every three years
- Freedom of speech protected
- Freedom to bear arms!
- Fair trials!
- Religious persecution of Catholics and non-Anglican
Protestants comes to an end (but not discrimination)
- REMEMBERED AS DEFINITIVE VICTORY FOR
CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY OVER ABSOLUTISM
A federal republic – most important province = Holland
Dominated by merchant oligarchy (organized in guilds) who became the new middle men of Europe
Center of global trade and banking (esp. Amsterdam)
Wealth based on excellent Dutch fleet of trading vessels
(fluyts) that imported goods from around the world
Wealthiest, most urbanized, well-fed place in Europe
Calvinism was dominant faith, but high degree of toleration offered to other religions (e.g. Jews, Catholics,
Anabaptists)  Attracted wealthy, skilled foreigners
Dutch art patronized by wealthy merchants (not
Calvinist churches, which were concerned about idolatry)  Greatest artists Rembrandt & Vermeer