The dissolution of parliament in 1629

Question 1

What was the main cause of tension between Charles I and Parliament by 1629?

Answer 1

Ongoing disputes over royal finances.
Charles’s continued collection of tonnage and poundage without consent.
Growing fears over Arminian influence in the Church.
Charles ignoring the Petition of Right.

Question 2

What was the Petition of Right (1628), and how did Charles respond?

Answer 2

Parliamentary document asserting limits on royal power (e.g. taxation, imprisonment).
Charles accepted it to receive subsidies.
Later ignored it, continuing to collect illegal taxes.

Question 3

Why was religion a growing source of conflict by 1629?

Answer 3

Rise of Arminianism, seen as “too Catholic”.
Charles promoted Arminians like William Laud.
Parliament feared erosion of Protestantism.

Question 4

What triggered the dramatic events in the 1629 Parliament?

Answer 4

Charles attempted to adjourn Parliament.
MPs (including Denzil Holles) physically held the Speaker in his chair.
Passed three resolutions condemning royal policies.

Question 5

What were the Three Resolutions of 1629?

Answer 5

Condemned Arminianism.
Declared illegal the collection of tonnage and poundage without Parliament’s consent.
Called anyone paying such taxes a “traitor to liberty”.

Question 6

How did Charles I respond to the defiance of Parliament in 1629?

Answer 6

Dissolved Parliament on 10 March 1629.
Arrested key MPs involved in the protest.
Ruled without Parliament for 11 years (the Personal Rule).

Question 7

What was the significance of the 1629 dissolution of Parliament?

Answer 7

Marked the start of Personal Rule (1629–1640).
Deepened divisions between King and Parliament.
Seen by many as tyrannical.
Led to long-term constitutional conflict.