Rule of James I and Charles I Lead to War

The Stuart Monarchy

James I [r. 1603-1625]James I’s speech to the House of Commons:

I am surprised that my ancestors should ever be permitted such an institution to come into existence. I am a stranger, and found it here when I arrived, so that I am obliged to put up with what I cannot get rid of!

James I [r. 1603-1625]

Wanted absolute power.

He quickly alienated a Parliament grown accustomed under the Tudors to act on the premise that monarch and Parliament TOGETHER ruled England as a “balance.”

James I• Follows Elizabeth (Scottish cousin)

• Issue- Power of Parliament

• Believed in absolute rule–Divine Right- authority from God

–Answer only to God

• King James Bible- retranslation in response to conflict w/ Puritans

James I

Quarrels with Parliament

• Elizabeth left debt

• Parliament would not give money- James would not bargain

• Puritans wanted him to make Church of England less Catholic

Gunpowder Plot, 1605

An attempt by some provincial Catholics to kill King James I and most of the Protestant aristocracy.

Blow up the House of Lords during the state opening of Parliament.

Guy Fawkes

Executions of the Gunpowder Plotters

Charles I• Son of James I• Divine Right ruler• Quarrels with Parliament over $–1626 War with Spain forced him to

Parliament- dismisses when funds refused–1626/27- War with France- forces knights

and nobles to loan $ (imprisons the unwilling) and quarters troops in private homes

Charles I [r. 1625-1649]

Pro-ceremonies and rituals.

Uniformity of church services imposed by a church court.

Anglican Book of Common Prayer for both England AND Scotland.

Seen as too pro-Catholic by the Puritans.

Charles I & Parliament

Constantly at war with Spain and France.

Always need £, but how to get it??

Usually Parliament would give Charles £ from taxes to fund his wars.

Periodically, Parliament would deny funds.

In return, Charles would dissolve Parliament and try to rule England without it find funds in other ways.

Forced “loans,” selling aristocratic titles, etc.

Charles I

Problems continue…• 1628 Charles recalls Parliament-

financial need–Money be given in return for Petition of

Right

• Petition of Right–Parliament’s consent for taxes– Imprison only with cause–No martial law in peacetime–No quartering of soldiers

Problems continue…• Petition accepted- not believed it

would be followed

• 1629 Result- Parliament dissolved (not called for 11 years) –King gained money through fines

and fees (believed acts of treason)•Result: popularity declined

Charles I and Religion• Charles calls Parliament–Why? Needed resources for war

–Response? Parliament refuses unless King addresses their demands

–Results? King dissolves Parliament (Short Parliament)

Charles I and Religion• Charles forced to call Parliament

for money to meet new threat–Long Parliament–Parliament limits Kings power-

consent for taxes, Parliament meetings, Court of Star Chamber–Revolt in Ireland- $ for suppression•Parliament further divided

The “Long” Parliament In session from 1640 to 1660..

Triennial Act passed Parliament must be called in session at least once every 3 yrs.

Parliament can’t be adjourned without its own consent!

Charles enters the House of Commons to end the session and arrest 5 MPs unsuccessful

Charles heads north to form an army!

English Civil War

English Civil War• The 2 sides:–Cavaliers- loyal to King (nobles, church

officials)–Roundheads- Puritan townspeople,

merchants

• Cavaliers- experienced military, 75% of land• 1644 Oliver Cromwell takes control of

Roundheads (believed they had God’s support)

Oliver Cromwell

English Civil War• Most people did NOT get involved in

war–Destruction of war- people become more

radical

• 1646 Cromwell’s New Model Army defeated the King’s forces–Tried to disband army- job was done–Strongly radical Puritan, more radical

than Parliament

English Civil War• Result: some Parliament members join up

with king–Cromwell defeated them & took King

captive• Cromwell and army march to London–143 members/Scots of House of Commons

expelled (Pride’s Purge)–Charles I tried & beheaded /Rump

Parliament• First time Monarch tried with official

execution

The Puritan Commonwealth [1649-1653]

Cromwell rules with the Rump Parliament.

Constitutional Republic

Created a constitution Instrument of Government

An executive [Cromwell]

A Council of State annually elected the committee of Parliament.

No monarch.

Europe is appalled other nations don’t recognize it.

Rebels within a Rebellion: LevellersJohn Lilburne was their leader.

The Agreement of the People was their political manifesto.

Abolish corruption within the Parliament &judicial process.

Toleration ofreligious differences.

Laws written inthe vernacular.

Universal suffrage as a “natural right.”

The Protectorate [1653-1660]

Cromwell tears up the ineffective Constitution.

Dismisses the Rump Parliament and rules with the support of the military.

Declares martial law.

Military dictator.

Religious tolerance for all [esp. for Jews], except for Catholics.

Crushes a rebellion in Scotland.

Crushes a rebellion among the Catholics of Ireland kills 40% of all ethnic Irish!

Charles II and James II’s Rule

Lead to the Glorious Revolution

Charles II and Restoration• Monarchy restored

• Not a Divine Right Ruler (1600-1685)

• Middle ground with religion–Religious freedom to Puritans and

Catholics created problems with Parliament

–Church of England- only legal religion

Charles II

Charles II and Restoration• 1679 Parliament passes “Habeas

Corpus”- guarantees freedoms (right to trial)–No more arrests for opposition to

monarch

• Money and religion will ruin him (same as father and grandfather)

Charles II and Money• Not enough money from

Parliament

• Turns to Catholic King Louis XIV of France for money–Secret agreement: Charles would

become Catholic in future

Charles II and Religion• People knew of Charles Catholic

tendencies• NO HEIR (son)- brother James II

(heir) was openly Catholic • Led to formation of political

parties –Whigs- James’ opponents–Tories- James’ supporters

Great London Plague, 1665

Great London Fire, 1666

King Charles II [r. 1660-1685]

1673 Test ActParliament excluded all but Anglicans from

civilian and military positions.[to the Anglican gentry, the Puritans were considered “radicals” and the Catholics were seen as “traitors!”]

1679 Habeas Corpus ActAny unjustly imprisoned persons could obtain

a writ of habeas corpus compelling the govt. to explain why he had lost his liberty.

James II• Divine Right Ruler- no consent from

Parliament

• Had Tories support until he appointed Catholics to high office–Violate laws passed by Restoration

Parliament

–Reaction: James dissolves Parliament and won’t call another

James II

Unhappy Protestants• 1687 James announces govt. posts

open to Catholics and Protestants

• 13,000 soldiers stationed outside London- change state religion to Catholicism

• 1688 James had son- fear of Catholic line of kings (second wife)

Protestants’ Plan• Mary, daughter of first wife, married to

William of Orange – invited to overthrow James II– They accepted

• Nobody tried to stop William and troops– James left for France

–Glorious Revolution (bloodless)

• William and Mary recognized Parliament as leading partner in ruling

English Bill of Rights [1689]

It settled all of the major issues between King & Parliament.

It served as a model for the U. S. Bill of Rights.

It also formed a base for the steady expansion of civil liberties in the 18c and early 19c in England.

English Bill of Rights [1689]Main provisions:

1. The King could not suspend the operation of laws.

2. The King could not interfere with the ordinary course of justice.

3. No taxes levied or standard army maintained in peacetime without Parliament’s consent.

4. Freedom of speech in Parliament.

5. Sessions of Parliament would be held frequently.

6. Subjects had the right of bail, petition, and freedom from excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment.

7. The monarch must be a Protestant.

8. Freedom from arbitrary arrest.

9. Censorship of the press was dropped.

10.Religious toleration.

Growth of Parliament’s

Power

Parliament is Strengthened• Puritans offended by Elizabeth–Active in politics: House of Commons

spoke up

• Stepped up more with rule of Charles II (not Divine Right ruler)• Got involved over successor of James

II–Went to William and Mary: around

power of king

Under William and Mary• 1689 Parliament drafts Bill of Rights–Things ruler could NOT do

–Parliament had certain rights:

–Laws could not be suspended

–Approval of taxes

–Freedom of speech

–No standing army

–No excessive bail

British Government

Great Britain• Ireland

• Scotland

• Wales

• England

Constitutional Monarchy

Constitutional Monarchy• Began – 1688 Glorious Rev.

• Most Progressive

• Ruler limited by law

• Monarch needed Parliament’s consent

• Parliament needed monarch’s consent

Previous Limits• 1215 Magna Carta–King John limits king’s power

• English Bill of Rights–Secured Constitutional Monarchy