Chapter 9 - Political divisions: the Long Parliament, Pym and the outbreak of civil war Flashcards
(37 cards)
What were some problems with the forces Charles’ tried to get together to fight a second war against the Scots (second Bishops’ War)?
(2 points)
- ill-organised and under-equipped
- many soldiers he recruited actually sympathised with Scots (stories of them burning Arminian symbols on their march north)
Outcome of the Battle of Newburn?
What happened after the Battle of Newburn?
- Scots easily defeated Charels’ troops.
- Treaty of Ripon signed shortly afterwards
What was the Treaty of Ripon?
Signed shortly after Charles lost the Battle of Newburn. Meant Charles was required to pay the Scots per day while they occupied Newcastle
What did the Treaty of Ripon mean for Charles?
3 points
- all of Charles’ sources of revenue exhausted
- Charles now had new debts
- left with no choice but to recall Parliament
What were the dates of the Long Parliament?
November 1640 - March 1660
When was Wentworth impeached and how did Parliament do it?
1640
Government used Bill of Attainder (medieval method which allowed anyone seen as a threat to be removed from state w/o trial)
> needed Bill bc Wentworth good at defending himself
Why was Wentworth impeached?
3 points
- loyal to Charles (worried about individual power)
- was a way of attacking the king
- supported Charles’ desire for war w/ Scots which Parliament didn’t want
Earl of Bedford
What was his position?
What did he propose that Charles rejected?
When did he propose this?
- Moderate politician who wanted to be in parliament to ensure there was ‘good government’. Became a privy councillor Feb 1641
- had a key role proposing financial settlement for royal income so Charles wouldn’t have to use prerogative (bridge gap between Crown and Parl) but Charles unwilling
- Feb 1641
What was on Bedford’s financial settlement?
4 points
> abolition of confrontational financial and political aspects of personal rule
return to Elizabethan-based broad Protestant church
Spearate financial settlement for Charels
proposed he become Lord Treasurer and Pym become Chancellor of Exchequer
What Stopped Bedford’s financial settlement from passing?
2 poitns
> Charles wouldn’t composromise
> Bedford dies May 1641
How was Pym influential in opposing the King?
2 points
- Pym and associates (John Hampden and Arthur Haselrig) formed group organising opposition strategy to the King.
- Pym had spent much of 1630s meticulously recording Charles’ transgressions
What was significant about Pym’s impact at the first meeting of the Long Parliament?
(3 points)
- Pym made a lengthy speech pushing for ‘evil councillors’ to be removed
- BUT, no call to abolish monarchy/no attack on Charles directly = people believed faults lay with Charles’ advisors not Charles himself
- shortly after, Prynne and Burton were released from prison (widely celebrated)
When was the Triennial Act passed and what was it?
February 1641
Abolished ship money without Parliamentary consent. Also obliged Charles to call a Parliament once every three years. If he didn’t, Parliament would be able to meet anyway.
What was the impact of the Triennial Act?
> no more prolonged periods of personal rule
When was the Root and Branch Petition and what was it?
December 1640
Petition or grievances signed by 15,000 Londoners
- asked for the abolition of Bishops and episcopacy and became an example for religious policy of the opposition
John Pym
Who was he?
Why was he so significant?
( 2 points)
Strong opposition to monarchy and a key leader of the Puritans.
- One of the 5 members of parl/ whose attempted arrest sparked English Civil War.
- he had unusual war tactics and was very respected
What was the impact of the Root and Branch petition?
3 points
> caused division
people saw getting rid of structure in church as undermining the social order
polarised parliament into 2 factions
When was the Army Plot?
What was it?
3rd May 1641
> Pym revealed rumours of royalist ‘army plot’ to parl. Officers attempt to seize Tower of London, release Wentworth and dissolve parl.
> people believed Charles involved but no evidence to support this
What was the impact of the Army plot?
3 points
> Parliament passed bill saying they couldn’t be dissolved w/o their own consent
Charles agreed 10th May
led to Protestation oath
When did the London crowd come out to defend Tower of London?
What did they do and what was the impact?
May 1641
> came out to defend Tower of London
> shows power and politicisation of people & scared Charels
When was the Protestation Oath and what was it?
3rd May 1641
Oath swearing your allegiance to Charles for everyone over 18. But you were not allowed to go against the Church of England.
When was the Act Against Forcible Dissolution passed and what was it?
What was the problem with it?
May 1641
Passed under the huge pressure from the London mob. Meant that the Long Parliament could only be dissolved with its own consent.
- did not apply to future Parliaments so wasn’t a long-term restriction on royal prerogative.
When was Wentworth’s execution and why was it significant?
12 May 1641
It was after the protestation oath so meant Parliament could claim it wasn’t an attack on Charles (had just sworn allegiance to him).
How was Charles involved in Wentworth’s execution?
What was the impact of W’s execution?
> had to give royal assent (did this bc he feared for his family)
Charles less willing to negotiate w Parl
