1.2 - James and Charles: Character, Court and Favourites

Question 1

what was James I’s personality?

Answer 1

vulgar, impatient at times
could be subtle and cunning
intellectual, outgoing and good at dealing with people
protestant
=>good relationship with peers

Question 2

what was Charles I’s personality?

Answer 2

shy and unable to communicate easily
sensitive and laking confidence
could be intelligent and perceptive
reserved and liked formalities
anglican
=> he became very out of touch

Question 3

what was James I’s views on kingship?

Answer 3

strong belief in the Devine right of kings
defensive of his prerogative
sought compromise and negotiation with the political nation
=> creates tension between him and the ruling elite

Question 4

what was Charles I’s views on kingship?

Answer 4

authoritarian - believed kings were appointed by god and should rule alone
=> creates an imbalance and instability

Question 5

what was James I’s court culture?

Answer 5

open and personal relationship with members of court
very corrupt
criticised for being drunken and immoral
=> chaos and insablility

Question 6

what was Charles I’s court culture?

Answer 6

immorality was frowned upon and rank and nobility were carefully preserved
privacy was respected
he sought to emulate the dignity of the Spanish court
frequent court masques
dominated by catholics and arminians (associated with absolutism)
=> lack of respect

Question 7

who were James I’s patronage/favourites?

Answer 7

Lennox 1579-81
Carr 1607-13
Buckingham 1615-25 (their relationship was based off of personal affection)

Question 8

who were Charles I’s patronage/favourites?

Answer 8

Buckingham - less sexual than with James but he was allowed a dominant role in the management of royal patronage, causing a lot of tension

Question 9

what problems did James I face?

Answer 9

• maintaining balance between catholics and protestants
• poor economic conditions (rising population)
• uniting Scotland and England (Scotland is Presbyterian)
• unstable society (food shortages)
• financing and funding
• foreign policy (auld alliance - a union against England between Scots and France)

Question 10

what was the privy council?

Answer 10

the kings selected advisors who met in private to shape the monarchs wishes into policy and oversee their implementation

Question 11

what was the bedchamber?

Answer 11

the monarchs private living space, the gentlemen of the bed chamber provided companionship and were important figures in court