Charles I and how he infringed upon civil liberties in 1626 - 28. Flashcards
(5 cards)
1
Q
Forced Loans:
A
- Charles needed funds and couldn’t raise money with the consent of parliament -> he had to do so without their agreement.
- JP’s refused Charles unless parliament granted a subsidy.
- City of London offered only £20,000.
- Had to get a forced loan instead -> needed funds for ships as war with France was likely.
2
Q
Billeting:
A
- Extra parliamentary taxation needed.
- Aroused opposition, but collected £240,000.
- Some of this left in the hands of the counties to pay for raising troops.
- The forces were billeted on local communities at little charge to the crown.
3
Q
Clergy preaching on Divine Right:
A
- Some clergy gave this taxation their support and preached sermons arguing that it was a Christian duty to obey the King.
- Charles liked the sermon given by Robert Sibthorp, that he asked Abbot to license it for publication.
- When the Archbishop refused he was confined to his house and his role in the church courts handed to commission.
4
Q
Dismissal of Lord Chief Justice :
A
- The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Randolph Crew, refused to sanction the forced loan as a legal measure and was so dismissed by Charles.
5
Q
The 5 Knights case & Habeus Corpus:
A
- There were some who refused to pay and risked prison or even forced service in the navy.
- Sir John Eliot, John Hampden and Sir Thomas Wentworth were among them.
- 5 of the 76 who were imprisoned for refusing the loan, claimed a writ of Habeas Corpus.
- Under this ancient right they could not be held in prison indefinitely without being brought to trial.
- Judges who heard the case found it a difficult decision as precedents unclear
-> eventually decided Charles did have the right to imprison his subjects for an indefinite period “for reasons of state”, as part of his prerogative.
