civil war to restoration Flashcards
1
Q
Why didn’t people like Charles I?
A
- believed in absolutism (meant that he should have total control) This led to him, introducing censorship to stop criticism.
- subjects, thought he was arrogant because he wouldn’t tolerate any challenge, even from nobles or parliament
- He married, Henrietta Maria, who was a Catholic, and they worried she was too much influence
- he wasn’t a good public speaker. He had no confidence which may have affected his decision-making negatively.
- he waged wars, which meant he had to raise lots of taxes
Scottish nobles were angry that Charles tried to take back Churchland that had been given to them in the 16th century - 1635 he made everyone pay ship money which was a levy usually only applied to people living in or ports,, but he applied it in peace time
- Scottish leaders refused to accept the religious changes he tried to impose in Scotland.
- Refused to accept proposals in grand remonstrance (Document created by MPs with over 200 criticisms and demands)
- 1642, Charles arrested five MPs for treason so in August 1642 Charles declared war on Parliament
2
Q
How do people think Charles should be treated and how was he actually treated?
A
- He was in prison in May 1646
- After first Civil War, people didn’t want to get rid of Charles
- After second Civil War the majority still wanted the king restored, but Oliver Cromwell, who was part new model army pushed for a trial
- 1648, 300 MPs who disagreed with Charles being tried were thrown out of parliament which left a rump parliament of about 200
- Charles was put on trial and then executed in January 1649
3
Q
how did the trial of Charles the first go?
A
- He still dressed fancy to show his power as a rightful king, he refused to take his hat off, which was disrespectful
- Refuse to please
- He refuses to do the trial for three days
- He was found guilty of treason, tyranny, and a man of blood
- he was given three days to prepare execution which was a beheading and also classified as regicide
- He told his youngest son to not accept the crown to avoid what happened to him
- He was executed outside, surrounded by soldiers in January 1649
- It was a public execution in Hampton Court
4
Q
What was James first character like?
A
- experienced, he was intellectual and outgoing. He enjoyed debate.
- Able to communicate with people and very practical and pragmatic
- Sensible and realistic
- few disliked him he had a free and easy manner
5
Q
What were James the first view on monarchy?
A
- Believed Divine right of kings and defensive of his right
- Wrote a book about kingship, saw himself as a peacemaker king
- He was pragmatic
- Compromising and negotiating with political nation, and England were defending his prerogative(entitlement)
6
Q
What was James first court like?
A
- Open and lively which reflected the Kings enjoyment in life
- it was criticised as drunken, immoral and debauched
- Tension - the early dominance of Bedchamber by Scott’s - the English had major state offices, but concerned about influence of Scotts could wield through access to James (brandish/flourish)
- James appointed, first Englishman, George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham to Bedchamber
7
Q
Who were the favourites of James the first?
A
- Esme, Stewart, Duke of Lennox, 1579 - 81
- Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, 1607–13
- George Villiers Duke of Buckingham, 1615–25
- These men had provoked concern about influence, because as men they had the position to have open political role and monarch allowed them
- For example, James is debauched lifestyle and immoral Court
- his ultimate favourite was Buckingham, he went through a source of political tension from 1618–28
- sexual links between Buckingham and James
8
Q
What was Charles the first character like?
A
- Contrast of James, shy, and had a speech defect, unapproachable and uncommunicative with parliament
- Intentions and actions unexplained others had to interpret them
-Unwilling to compromise, unable to understand different views - required questioning obedience, equated different views with this loyalty and very controlling
9
Q
What were Charles first views on the monarchy?
A
- Believed in divine right of kings and defensive of his right
- Provocative because of his limited self-confidence
- Increasingly hampered dialogue with political nation lead to undermining of his authority
10
Q
What was Charles the first court like?
A
- Microcosm of state, model of what could be achieved in the country
- Under control arranged in his way
- imposed his will on others, as he had on himself to control external world, as rigidly as he controlled his inner world, dominated by catholicism
11
Q
How did the victory of parliamentarians bring change to power structures in England?
A
- from 1649–1653 Inridge Road by the rump Parliament, which abolished the monarchy and House of Lords
- Cromwell dismissed the rump Parliament in 1653, because he disagreed with the tolerances of religion
- The Barebones parliament, who are 144 men sympathetic to Cromwell’s views, ruled temporarily, but Cromwell dismissed them because they were too radical
- 1653–1658 Cromwell Ruled as Lord protector of Britain,(protectorate period)
- Parliament was reformed and constituencies resized to make them more representative
- Parliament and Cromwell shared the control of the army
- Cromwell divided England into regions, and each were ruled by a major general, whose role was to enforce Puritanism
- Humble petition and advice, 1657, which abolished major generals, a reduction in the army and more government control over taxes. It also proposed that Cromwell became king, but he refused.
12
Q
Who were the fifth monarchists?
A
They believed that English Civil War was that apocalypse, and that it was time for Jesus’s rule – wished for religious reform
- They had no specific action they just wanted it to be more puritan
13
Q
Who were the diggers?
A
They want total inequality(early communism) – social and economic. They built communes on the wasteland.
14
Q
Who were the levellers?
A
They wanted to increase democracy in England, so more people could have the right to vote. they were also involved in Charles‘s trial and execution – respected by parliament. However, everything was ignored and they followed a trial, they had no involvement in.
15
Q
What happened after Cromwell died?
A
- Cromwell’s son, Richard ruled England from 1658 and retired in 1659, because he lacked experience and had little support from the army and parliament
- Charles’ son, accepted the declaration of Breda and became king Charles II in 1660
- Charles had control over laws passing through parliament, but his ability to raise taxes, without parliaments permission was taken away
- couldn’t target his opponents through the use of special parliaments, and he couldn’t claim ship money
