Tyler Mary
Period 4
9/26/2011
Describe and analyze the changes of
the role of Parliament in English politics
between the succession of James I and
the Glorious Revolution.
Background Information


After Elizabeth I, she gave the English throne to her cousin, James
Stuart (James I)
James I was not favorable by the English people, mainly because he
was Scottish and the English had a disposition towards the Scottish
at that time. James I also ruled Scotland for thirty-five years.
Influence on the Parliament
Changes Under James I’s rule



Demonstrated power and authority over the people, liberty, and
properties of English citizens, an idea that was contrast to that of
the House of Commons for many years.
Following this, James I believed he had jurisdiction of the House of
Commons, and since the House of Commons controlled most of the
countries money, James I could now access that money, and he
used most of it to do things in order to gain public support (spent
money on court favorites)
Elizabeth I had left the parliament feeling strong, and that they
should have influence on the countries affairs, while James I and his
son, Charles I, believed they had greater powers than that of
Parliament.
Economic Changes during James and Charles's rule
Impact on the English Parliament


During James and Charles reign, they took many steps to increasing
wealth within their citizens, and England became mostly capitalist in
the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (Investing money to make
more money). Ultimately, this resulted in a well-educated and
articulate Parliament who wanted political power to match their
wealth.
The Parliament had the ability to control their own taxes, and the
English monarchy found this as unacceptable and it threatened their
power over their god-given right which was that “god had appointed
them to rule in the name of god”. This led to refusal of the crown
and the Parliament to work together, and caused the country of
England under Charles I’s rule to plunge into a crisis after he tried
to govern without parliament.
Charles I’s rejection of Parliament from 1629-1640
Impact on Parliament


Charles I created major stopgap levies as an alternative to using the
money he received from parliament, and this was considered illegal to
the English people, but when tested in court, the judges favored the
crown because they had been bribed, and the cases were thrown out.
Parliament reacted that they believed that this taxation was
unacceptable and would lead to the king ultimately controlling all of the
power in England. Because of this, they did not trust the king who
possessed an army, and they initiated any laws that restricted the
power of the king, which made it impossible for the monarchy to
possess all of the power. Such actions would lead to violence over
disagreement in England.
The English Civil War
(1642-1649)
Causes, Motives, and Results


Rebellion in Ireland due to religious motives, and fear of a Scottish
invasion caused the need for Charles I to have an army to stop this
rebellion, and combat the Scottish threat. However, the Parliament
was unwilling to grant Charles an army, and this led to the
monarchy drafting nobility, as well as mercenaries, cavalry staff,
and rural gentry for his own military. The purpose of this army was
to combat the Parliamentary forces. The war lasted for nine years
between Charles I and Parliament.
The civil war ended in 1649, resulting in the execution of Charles,
and this action created an impact on the theory that the monarchy
has the “power given by god” to control their land. This did not end
the problem, but it initiated a new era from 1649-1660
The “Interregnum” Period
(1649-1660)
Actions and Events




Following the beheading of Charles I, England was proclaimed to be
a republic, the government was originally supposed to run as the
legislative power of the republic was controlled by Parliament, and
the executive power was in a council of state.
However, the army that defeated the royal forces during the English
Civil War, controlled the government, and the army’s leader, Oliver
Cromwell ruled as a dictator in England, and the influence of the
Parliament was overrun by his rule.
The “Instrument of Government” was essentially a constitution, and
one of the key points was to give Parliament the power to control
taxes. However, throughout disputes concerning the document,
Cromwell tore it up.
Rather than a Parliament, England was divided into twelve military
districts, and the generals ultimately had the power within a district.
The Restoration of Parliament and the
English Monarchy
Beginning of Establishment



Following the rule of the Cromwell dictatorship from 1649-1658, the
monarchy was ready to be restored in England, beginning with the
king Charles II, the eldest son of Charles I.
The two houses of Parliament were restored, and they established
the Anglican church, the courts of law, and local government
through justices of peace.
One issue still effected the Parliament which was the relationship of
the Parliament and the king, which had not been resolved for years.
Parliament and Charles II
Actions and Relationship




The beginning of the Restoration had new hope for peace within the
Parliament and the king. Charles II set out to get along with parliament,
contradictory to some kings of the past.
“The Cabal” was a council of five appointed men who were the kings
advisors, and members of the Parliament. This connected the executive and
legislature of England, as well as improved the relationship between the
king and Parliament.
This put into action that royal ministers must answer to the House Of
Commons, and the Cabal were answerable for the actions of the king.
The relationship remained strong due to the fact that Charles II would
summon meetings frequently with the parliament to grant him money.
Ultimately they did not grant him enough, and Charles II looked to the
French for financial support, and in return there would be some changes in
England to turn them to Catholicism. Parliament would reject these
changes, but Charles II overruled Parliament.
The Glorious Revolution
(1688-1689)
Impact on the Parliament



Following the events of Charles II’s involvement with the French and
Roman Catholicism, It was established in England that the power of
the country should remain between the Parliament, and the king.
The king was to rule with the approval of the Parliament.
The English Bill of Rights contained specific rules of how the king
should operate under authority of Parliament. This included that laws
should be made through parliament, and the king can not overrule
them. It also included that Parliament was to be called every three
years. Elections and Debates in Parliament could not be influence by
the king.
This revolution gave the Parliament influence in England politics that
they had always wanted.
Conclusion & Results
Beginning with James I, who got the majority of England
wealthy and powerful, the English Parliament was always looking for
their share of political power. The Parliament had been suppressed
by the actions of kings for years, including James I, Charles I, and
the dictator Oliver Cromwell. It was not until the rule of Charles II
that the Parliament and king began to get along. True sovereignty
for the Parliament was during the Glorious Revolution. The creation
of the English Bill of Rights gave the Parliament Political power that
they had been striving to achieve since the rule of James I and
political power in England was finally balanced with the Parliament
and king.