Part one: James I - “The beginnings” - 1603 - 1625 Flashcards
(67 cards)
What was James I attitude to England / The Kingdom at the start of his reign.
- Unification of England / Scotland.
- Favouritsm of Scots (Bedchamber)
- Endulgement in new riches of England compared to Scotland.
- Big Believer in his Royal Prerogative
What were the financial problems James inherited?
- Elizabeth had sold signifcant amounts of crown lands to finance the war.
- The Anglo - Spanish war itself.
- Elizabeth had failed to update the tax system in relation to inflation.
- By 1603 - Crown debts were at £420,000 with income at roughly £300,000
Why was James lavish spending so despised?
Was so clear and obvious (conspicious) he did not try to hide it.
Also, sigificant amounts went to scots hated by the English Political Nation.
Why were finances so important to parliament.
Finances lay at the root of the monarch’s power, and the limits on their income prevented them from becoming truly absolutist. They HAD to rely on parliament for income through taxation -> subsidies.
It was an aspect of rule that parliament held paramounted control over the crown in.
What does James I say about his generosity?
‘My heart is greater than my rent.’
Example of James I giving money to Scots
In 1606, James gave away 3 parliamentary subsides given to him to pay the crown debts back to Scottish favourites like Carr.
By 1610 nearly £90,000 was given to Scots.
James saw it as perfectly acceptable to pay of his Scottish friends debts before his own.
James / sale of monopolies?
These were abolished by Elizabeth but brought back by James.
It involved him granting individuals the power to have monopoly control over production of a certain good. James in return would recieve a lump sum / share of profits.
Parliament condemned them because it created artifically high prices and inflated the economy further.
Explain the Bates Case?
The Bates Case, 1606
- Bate, a merchant, was taken to court for refusing to pay duties on currants.
- He argued parliament had not levied the tax and therefore it wasn’t legitimate.
- Judges ruled in the monarchs favour because he had the right to regulate trade.
- Solidified and opened up James prerogative power in taxation and led to the New Book of Rates in 1608.
Explain the New Book of Rates?
New Book of Rates, 1608
Pushed through by Cecil, the Book of Rates built on the court victory of the Bates Case in 160.
Brought in new duties known as impositions on over 1400 goods.
Impositions became a beacon of frustration from parliament.
Who was Robert Cecil?
Was Elizabeth’s secretary of state and played an important role in organising James’ accession. He was James’ most trusted advisor.
By 1608 he was made Lord Treasurer.
What was the Book of Bounty?
Despite the Crown debts - James was eroding long term income by giving away crown lands (which the monarch made rent off etc). In addition, his lavish lifestyle was hindering any prospect of improving the deficit.
Cecil introduced the Book of Bounty in 1608 to curb James’ spending and prevent him giving away major items such as lands and pensions. James failed to keep any promises undermining the books impact.
What are the criticisms of Robert Cecil?
Robert Cecil was criticized for personal corruption, profiting from his position. As Master of the Court of Wards (1609), he earned £1,400 from a wardship while the crown gained only £370.
His financial reforms were undermined by his own exploitation of the system.
This shows the “Rot at the top” and partially explains why financial reforms were never pivotal.
What was wardship?
When an estate is inherited the crown takes care and reaps the rewards of your land until you become of age - abused by Cecil for his own financial gain.
Explain the Great Contract?
Cecil’s Great Contract, 1610
A scheme where parliament would grant a one off payment of £600,000 to James for his debts and then annual grants of £200,000 (About £100,000 more than they had before).
In return, the Crown would surrender its feudal rights of wardship and purveyance.
The measure would have likely secured James a sufficient income if combined with cost - cutting measures and improved the budget deficit.
What was purveyance?
The crowns ability to purchase transport, food and other supplies at prices well below market levels.
Why did parliament decline the Great Contract?
- A desire not to be taxed further
- A fear that financial independence for James (consistent, guarenteed income from parliament) would allow James to sidestep parliamentary power and impose absolutism.
- Reluctance to finance James’ addiction to hunting, consumption of alcholol etc.
- Failure of previous agreements (like the 3 subsidies granted in 1606)
Why did James I oppose the Great Contract?
James I opposed the Great Contract because it required him to give up certain royal prerogatives and reduce his income from traditional sources, which he was unwilling to do.
Why did parliament clash with James so much over his right to claim impositions?
From his new form of taxation from the Bates Case parliament feared they would lose power.
If he collected enough taxation using his prerogative, he would never need or call them ever again.
Therefore, in 1610 and 1614 James and parliament clashed over impositions intensely.
Who was Lionel Cranfield / his aims?
Rose to prominence through the patronage of Buckingham.
He wanted to reform royal finances but also amass as much money as personally possible.
He savagely cut administration costs and was devoted to a grim assualt on the payments of gifts and pensions adidst screams of anguish from the court.
By 1621 he was lord treasurer.
By 1623 he was drowned by a wave of foreign policy expenditure.
Describe Cranfields fall from grace?
Cranfields attempts to reform finance were blown when in 1623 Charles and Buckingham went to Madrid which cost £46,000.
By 1624 Cranfield opposed war against Spain and Buckingham turned against him.
Later on in 1624, he was found guilty of corruption by the House Of Lords and heavily fined and imprisoned.
Issue and Solution regarding James giving away knighthoods?
James had given away too many “knighthoods” for a price - devaluating the title.
Therefore, he created a new hereditary title of “baronet” in 1611 - sold for £1,095 each.
What was the Cockayne Project?
Cockayne Project, 1614
- An attempt by Cockayne (Who was granted a monopoly on it) and James I to establish a domestic woolen cloth industry in England removing the processing of wool from the continent (Mainly Dutch) to England.
- The goal was to boost the economy, create jobs and increase tax revnue by selling finished cloth rather than raw cloth.
- Faced strong opposition from merchants, the Dutch and therefore parliament.
- The lack of expertise and infrastructure aswell as resistance meant that it was abandonded by 1617. It highlighted the challenged of James’ financial policies and underscored the monarchy’s ability to enact economic reform.
What is the significance of the death of Prince Henry?
Death of Prince Henry 1612
Henry was seen as the perfect, capable heir. His death meant his less worthy, peculiar younger brother was next in line.
This threw the royal succession into uncertainty and created an anxiety about the future.
Importance of the marriage of Elizabeth and Frederick V?
Marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Frederick V, 1613
James’ daughter’s marriage to Frederick V of the Palatinate in 1613 was part of James I’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with Protestant European powers.
It also meant that James had more of a commitment to the 30 years war in the years to come.
