Stuarts - quest for political stability

Edexcel A level History

Charles’ belief in DROK

CI had public and private commitment to DROK - in response, parl defended and asserted its own sovereignty

Duke of Buckingham’s influence

by 1625, DoB enemy of many; control of patronage under JI angered many, control of access to JI in last years, homosexual relationship w JI disgusted many in court

strong friendship w Charles as his closest adviser - when CI became king maintained DoB’s strong influence in court

what was tonnage and poundage?

June 1625, parl voted for 2 subsidies for CI worth £120,000, when CI needed £1 million for war w Spain

Crown rejected T&P for whole reign as CI already collecting it w/o their consent, only granted T&P for 1 year

in 1626, CI continued to collect T&P w/o parl’s consent

War with Spain

Disastrous war w Spain by CI’s foreign policy (DoB’s influence as angry from treatment in Madrid 1623)

CI desperate for money, tensions w parl, MPs support attack on Catholic enemy

Cadiz expedition Oct-Dec 25: direct attack on Spain, no supplies, had to be evacuated: failed → only 5,000 out of 12,000 returned

Marriage to Henrietta Maria

marriage of CI to HM (sister of French King LXIII) in March 1625 to form strong anti-Habsburg alliance

Queen brought large Catholic household, could practice Catholicism, CI to suspend recusancy laws etc. → offended many Protestants

CI commitment to helping LXIII defeat French Protestant rebels

why was marriage to HM a failure of foreign policy?

by 1627, England did not have France as an ally, at war w France instead

CI’s marriage to a Catholic threw suspicion onto CI’s own religion

relaxation of recusancy laws led to criticism in parl. which helped lead to CI dissolving parl in 1625

CI’s clear preference for Arminianism

Low church Puritans struggled w Arminians over which direction to take CofE.

CI clear preference for Arminianism - promoted Laud to Bishop of Bath of Wells and Dean 1625, DoB (on behalf of king) favoured Arminians in York House Conference 1626

1626 Laud and Neile appointed to Privy Council

CI attempts to control parl

needed subsidies to pay for Spanish war, called 2nd parl 1626 and removed strongest opponents e.g. Coke → failed as new leaders emerged e.g. Pym, Eliot

During parl session, CI had Earl of Arundel sent to Tower → HofL protested, CI had to release him

parl attempt to impeach DoB, CI lost his subsidies

DoB impeachment attempt by Eliot and Digges as blamed for poor conduct during war → arrested by CI and sent to Tower, but had to release them as HofC refused to cooperate until release → gave impression CI ved parl didn’t respect parliamentary privilege

parl promised 4 subsidies for CI in return for DoB impeachment → CI dissolved 2nd parl 1626 so lost subsidies

what was the Free Gift?

as CI needed money for war, tried to persuade gentry to give him a Free Gift → JPs wrote down anyone who didn’t pay (pressured) -? failed to raise much

What was the Forced Loan?

tax levied w/o parl consent, forced to give money from 4 subsidies directly to crown → in theory voluntary, but if not paid put in prison (total 76)

effective - £240,000 collected w/n a year

direct challenge to parl power, abused authority of King

when did CI start collecting Ship Money?

1627 - one-off tax on coastal counties to pay for navy to protect them in wartime

Five Knights Case 1627

5 who refused to pay Forced Loan protested arrest, CI changes ruling to extend royal power for future imprisonment w/o trial → deeply concerned parl

Military rule 1627

CI had to raise money and gather troops for further military campaigns, os ordered they be billeted (housed and fed in civilians’ homes at own expense)

areas where troops gathered under martial law, leading to summary sentences w/o right of appeal → deepened resentment from local pops

War w France

Despite marriage alliance 1625, deteriorating relations b/n France and England → trade war developed as English navy seized French merchant ships

reversal of alliance - DoB led fleet of 100 ships Jun 27 to support Huguenots under siege in La Rochelle → complete failure; second attempt in 1628 failed, third attempt late 28 failed, La Rochelle surrendered to LXIII Oct 1628

what did the 5 knights case lead to?

the Petition of Right

what was the Petition of Right?

CI still needed money for war, 1628 called 3rd parl - agreed to raise 5 subsidies in return for King to accept Petition of Right → direct reaction to King’s actions

stated that is was illegal to raise taxes or forced loans w/o parl consent, imprison w/o just cause, impose forced billeting or martial law

CI signed June 1628, 5 subsidies given and parl suspended

assassination of DoB

DoB assassinated Jun 1628 by lieutenant at 1st Il de Re expedition → blamed him for military failures

CI deeply angered by celebratory public reaction

CI redistributed DoB’s titles e.g. Wentworth appointed Lord President of Council of the North, Arundel restored to Privy Council - would help him run country during personal rule

After DoB’s death, CI and HM fell in love genuinely, grew her influence in royal policy

Arminian policy continues

CI’s continuing support of Arminianism after DoB’s death led to tensions in parl

by 1629, over half English episcopacy were Arminians, Laud promoted to Bishop of London

CI’s authoritarian approach continues w reissuing of 39 Articles Nov 28 w preface that any dispute can only be settled by Convocation and only w his permission → banning any debate

CI’s manipulation of the Petition of Right

although CI accepted Petition of Right 1628, by 1629 trying to undermine it → in public version, CI added the Petition did not affect his prerogative powers suggesting he did not have to respect its content, and had statute number removed from parl record, suggesting not statutory law but a suggestion by parl

parl felt tricked into providing the 5 subsidies from PoR

the Fire of Division and the Protestation

Strong set of opposition leaders worked together early 1629 led by Eliot, Pym etc. to oppose CI on T&P

Questioned CI’s promotion of Arminian clergymen - Feb 1629 HofC formally expressed concern for rise in Catholics openly practicing (notably in HM’s court) - stated that growing Arminian faction had ‘kindled such a fire of division in the very bowels of the state, as if not speedily extinguished, it is of itself sufficient to ruin our religion’

March, when became clear that wouldn’t approve T&P, CI decided to dissolv parl

The Protestation - 3 key resolutions by Holles condemning CI’s govt - denounced perceived Arminianism in CofE, called upon merchants to refuse to pay T&P

when did CI formally dissolve parliament?

10 March 1629

arrested 9 leading MPs e.g. Eliot, Holles rejecting their claim to parliamentary privilege

Peace Treaties - foreign policy

from late 1628, military defeats and death of DoB gave CI reason to make peace w France and Spain

1629 - Treaty of Susa w France (neither country could interfere w other)

1630 - Treaty of Madrid - vague promises of work for peace b/n Spanish and Dutch, that Spain would try to help restore Frederick to the Palatinate

Peace greatly reduced Crown’s expenditure, so Personal Rule could continue for 11 years

two key individuals during Personal Rule

Thomas Wentworth - Earl of Strafford

William Laud - promoted Arminianism and focused on church organisation, came from humble background

other key figures in CI’s personal rule 1629-1640

Weston, Juxon, Cottington, Coventry

what was the Policy of Thorough?

introduced by Wentworth and Laud to centralise power in the monarchy and increase royal authority - Laud became dominant figure in Privy Council

how did use of prerogative courts change during Personal Rule?

late 1620s, CI relied more on prerogative courts of Chancery and Star Chamber to uphold decisions against any possible opponents

the power of bishops

increased role in govt 1630s - Laud dominated Privy Council wia access to king

ecclesiastical prerogative court, court of high commission extended its activities fully into cicil alongside church affairs

Neile, Juxon on Privy Council

the Book of Orders 1631

314 orders to meticulously govern the country, including collection of poor rates → reaction of perceived threat of the mob e.g. poor harvests led to food riots

impact of the Book of Orders 1631

Positive: helped w worst of social problems, secured social stability better than anywhere in Europe

Negative: only 1/10 reports submitted as Privy Council didn’t have means to control JPs

• in late 1630s less necessary to impose Book of Orders as econ depression ended, so ignored more

Reform of the militia

very ineffective in preparations for war against France and Spain so attempts at reform made 1629 → Privy Council ordered regular training and equipping of country bands

Failure of reform to the militia

• peace of 1630s meant no real urgency to reform militia

• questionable legality - parl statute setting up local militias repealed 1604, so some questioned authority of reform

• failure of the militia in the Bishops’ Wars in late 1630s showed v limited progress

Failure in govt reforms - no structural changes to govt

no attempt to change basic structure of govt, govt relying on unpaid amateurs at local level, despite efforts of Book of Orders and militia reform to increase scope of govt activities

after 1635 JPs involved in collecting Ship Money so lack of governors

from 1637, JPs expected to prepare against Scottish rebellion

Failure in govt reforms - resentment of ruling class

govt attempts to regulate wages and prices failed

previously respected prerogative courts now resented as made decisions to benefit CI/his advisers at expense of local interests e.g. 1632 Star Chamber awarded huge damages to Earl of Suffolk for having to endure ‘undifferential behaviour’

Wentworth used power as President of Council of North to further interests of his family against his rival Sir John Savile → resentment in Yorkshire
focus of anger on prerogative courts in 1640, and abolition in 1641 shows how hated they were in 1630s

failure in reforms to govt - anger vs influence of episcopacy

many angry that Laud growing influence and episcopacy over CI’s govt

Laud disliked for humble origins and use of High Commission and Star Chamber to enforce rules/silent opposition

Bishops appted tended to carry out king’s demands as needed → looked like return to Catholic tradition of bishops playing key govt role

what was the 1629-1640 financial policy?

1. cutting expenditure

2. raising income

how did CI cut expenditure in personal rule?

Peace biggest reason for improved financial situation

• treaty signed w France 1629, then Treaty of Madrid 1630

• costs: in 1620s - £500,000 a year on naval prep, by 1635 - £66,000

Court costs: royal expenditure at court reduced w pensions/annuities - down 35%

Purveyance: right to purchase commodities at reduced prices - reduced costs by £30,000 pa 30-35

Raising income - ordinary revenue

up 25% to £600,000 pa by 1635

Crown lands - 1630 Commission for Defective Titles set up, new rents imposed, fines levied for encroachment on royal forests bringing in £40,000

Feudal duties - 1630: Distraint of Knighthood - men owning land worth £40 a year got o king & take knighthood title

• 9,000 fined, £174,000 raised by end of 30s

Monopolies - 1624 act banning granting of monopolies to individuals not companies

• 1632 Popish Soap - Catholic courtiers obtained monopoly to manufacture/sell soap in return for £4 a tonne going to crown

Justice - Catholic recusancy applied more rigorously

raising income - customs duties

peace helps trade so increased customs duties - up to £358,000 in 1635

1630: T&P - royal decl that King had right to levy customs duties even w/o parl permission

Impositions - continued to be imposed, raising £53,000 pa 31-35, £120,000 pa 36-41

raising income - sale of crown lands

short term gain but long term loss - total £650,000 raised 1625-35 from land sales, but long term loss of future income from the sales

raising income - direct taxes - Ship Money

no parl so CI resorted to applying trad royal right to raise money to pay for coastline defence

success: Ship Money first imposed on coastal towns/counties 1634

• total 1634-1640 - £800,000 = more than total of all subsidies in CI’s whole reign

why was Ship Money a success?

inland:

• extended to 35 inland counties

wider tax base: subsidies levied as proportion of income, made administration more complex, Ship Money instead levied on whole counties

were CI’s financial policies a success?

Deficit but not debt addressed

-Income: by 1637 annual revenue over £1m = 50% higher in real terms than in 1625

-Expenditure: CI able to balance budget by 1637

-Debt: but still large debt (over £1m) not addressed

crucially, by late 1630s finances in no position to fund any military conflict w/o add funds by parl → ensured that war in Scotland led to CI calling parl in 1640

opposition to financial policies

Ship Money

37: Hampden failed court case - Hampden refusal to pay tax, ruled CI had right to command subjects to pay levy w/o ref to parl

delayed payments 1637-38

1639: Income collapses - real cause not Ship Money but Scottish War

Distraint of Knighthood: caused anger, 1640 long parl abolished it

CI’s support for Arminianism

emphasis on ‘beauty of holiness’ appealed to CI

Politics: opposed Calvinists who dominated parl so tended to support royal authority as well as episcopal authority

Arminian appointments to Anglican Church

1632: Richard Neile - Ab of York

1633: William Laud - Ab of Canterbury, Juxon replaced Laud as Bishop of London

Foreign Catholics at court

CI and Laud not Catholic - eg CI detention of Jesuits, strict application of recusancy laws

BUT rumours Laud was in pay of Pope, his reforms appeared RC and undermining Anglican faith

CI toleration of foreign Catholic court, eg 1638 Marie de Medici w HM in court, v damaging to reputation

HM & household became focal point for RC at heart of govt

what areas of the church did Laud reform in 1630s?

theology, ecclesiastical hierarchy, liturgy, appearance of churches, financial control

who mainly opposed Laudian reforms?

Low Church Protestants

how did Laud reform theology?

reduced importance of predestination

reasons for opposition: Predestination key Calvinist policy, reforms step towards Catholic belief of salvation via good deeds

how did Laud reform ecclesiastical hierarchy?

order and uniformity on Church via power of bishops, increasing divisions between bishops and rest of clergy eg 1633 ordered that Bs should reside in their dioceses, send detailed reports of their activities to Abs

reason for opposition: imposition of uniform standards confirmed power of church, claim that authority of Bs passed down from Christ appeared very RC

how did Laud reform liturgy?

emphasis on ritual and Book of Common Prayer, holy communion made more important, preaching limited, focus on worship/spiritual mediation reversed - 1633 Book of Sports introduced

Reasons for opposition: rituals especially sacraments encouraged superstitious practices at expense of inner faith

how did Laud reform appearance of the church?

CI/Laud wanted to re-est ‘beauty of holiness’, so decorated churches, moved communion tables etc.

reason for opposition: images encouraged worship of symbols, altar’s new position reminiscent of transubstantion

how did Laud reform financial control of the church?

each parish asked to pay more to fund religious policy, Feoffees of Impropriations shut down - Laud disliked their emphasis on preaching, dissolved 1633 and instead appointed High Church Arminians

reasons for opposition: economic cost - expensive to refurbish churches, over 1/3 livings in England impropriated, feared Laud may take control of them

• closure of Feoffees angered many, as Puritans offended by attack on preachers, all concerned by attack on property

what was the response to rise of Arminianism in 1620s and 1630s?

Protestant fear and anger

how many migrated to the New World in 1630s?

15,000 - however, majority remained as had to consider extent of their resistance

how did Catholic success in 30 years war increase fear?

in 1630s, Catholic Habsburgs doing well in Catholic war, Pope seen as Antichrist in conspiracy with Spain, CI’s foreign policy aimed to have decent relationship w Spain

Cardinal Richelieu important in creation of French absolutist monarchy

oppression of opposition in 1630s

no parls so no way to express opposition, Laud used B’s visitation of dioceses to enforce reforms

serious acts of defiance sent to prerogative court of High Commission - censorship through licensing books

what happened to Burton, Bastwick and Prynne 1637?

BB&P (men of gentry) published pamphlets attacking Laud and Queen, accused of sedition

sentenced to be branded, pillories, ears cropped by Star Chamber → outrage, sympathy as not usual for gentry to be punished this way → contributed to fear that CI creating absolute monarchy and overriding parliament’s role

what was the coiled spring 1640?

explosion of opposition in 1640 due to build up of Protestant anger towards Laudian reforms during PR

John Pym speech to short parl telling of concerns of RC encouragement → dissolution of parl 1640

Convocation: the Etcetera Oath - oath taken by all clergy to never to consent to alter govt of church → ambiguity sparked fear of popish plot

to what extent were religious reforms of 1630s a cause of resentment?

little: during 1630s, low level of opposition

• opposition tended to be overstated as resistance all reported

• before Scotland 1637 few religious protests

• no. prosecuted v low, usually from SE

• lack of opposition could be interpreted as result of popularity of Arminianism (unlikely) or actually being poorly implemented and so not being forced onto people - so not cause of anger

large:

• many had serious concerns about reforms, but didn’t publicly protest, had no ability to express concern → coiled spring 1640

• those who felt most angered by Arminianism emigrated

• CWs of 1640s = not result of Puritan revolution, but as Puritan counter-revolution vs rise of Arminianism

Either way, large proportion of political nation encouraged to believe in a popish plot, CI seen to be be supporting RC ideas

why was Wentworth appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1632?

as an effort by CI to impose English order and control over Ireland and its government

what were Wentworth’s successful financial reforms?

New Book of Rates 1633: doubled amt of income from £40,000 in 33 to £80,000 in 1640

Commission for Defective Titles 1634: reviewed legal docs on land ownership, enabled monarch to command feudal dues

Irish parl subsidies: called Irish parls which agreed to 6 subsidies 34-35, and 4 more in 1640

How did Wentworth fail to create political stability in Ireland?

Angered both Old and New English

Old English:

-angered by Wentworth’s selective granting of Graces (allowed RC lords right to own land)

-Protestant Plantation Policy: policy of attracting Eng/Scot Protestant farmers onto Irish land, undermining position of Old English

New English:

-Laudian reforms: Wentworth tried to impose High Church Laudianism, NE liked low church

-attack on corruption: tried to repossess church lands eg Richard Boyle (Earl of Cork) fined £15,000; also tried to reduce corruption in customs tax collection - corrupt Irish privy council member Lord Mountnorris condemned to death for taking £20,000 for himself 1634-35

how did Wentworth alienate the city of London 1639?

Corp of London received grant of land in Londonderry from Crown in return for investment in plantation to attract migrants to develop economy

1635 - deemed to have failed to fulfill obligation, fined £70,000 → resentment, so only provided £5,000 loan to help in war effort 1639 when CI needed way more

How did Scottish affairs worsen the Irish situation?

Encouraging opposition: success of Covenanting Scots brought Scots together in Ulster in their opposition to Laudian reforms

Power Vacuum after Wentworth left: Wentworth recalled from Ireland 1639 to tackle Scottish crisis - power vacuum → Irish rebellion Oct 1641. Wentworth successful in creating peace/order whilst in Ireland, but repressive methods built up problems for future when he left

what are the characteristics of the Scottish presbyterian church?

run by committees of ministers and elders instead of bishops, worship based on preaching and improvised prayers

what was James I’s religious policy in Scotland?

attempts to unify English churches

• persuaded Scots to restore office of bishop

how did Charles’ high-handedness anger the Scottish?

only visited Scotland once in 1633 for coronation, ignored Scottish parliament (only called once for 10 days) and instead ruled by proclamations, ignored Scottish Privy Council and instead relied on small group of Scots in London

What were Charles’ religious reforms in Scotland?

Book of Canons 1636: issued to Scottish clergy, included instructions for church layout, reflecting CofE tradition instead of Calvinist

New Prayer Book 1637: revised version of English prayer Book in Scotland services

why did Charles’ religious reforms cause Scottish Puritan anger?

New Prayer Book: included illustrations of angels and saint’s days, suspect plot to turn Scotland back to Catholicism (Laud behind plot)

sparked riot at St Giles, Edinburgh → Scottish Council withdrew book, but CI insisted his orders be carried out

what was the National Covenant 1638?

Scottish clergy meet up to draw up Covenant to defend kirk, by force if necessary → Charles outraged, prepares for war (without calling parl)

why was it hard to prepare for war with Scots?

• nobility had no desire to fight

• JPs half-hearted preparations

• militia - locally based, reluctant to move

1st Bishops’ War

Spring 1639, CI had 20,000 poorly prepared men

Scottish: well prepared to fight for Kirk

face up but not fight

Treaty of Berwick

June 1639, resolved 1st Bishops’ War

both armies to be disbanded
BUT Scots refuse, immediately abolish Scottish Prayer Book and Bishops

Short Parl

(April-May 1690) - demanded parl give 12 subsidies in return for abolishment of of Ship Money

too much for parl: debate grievances over past 11 years - attack CI’s policies vs Protestantism, property rights

Dissolving of Short Parliament

5 May, as unhappy at them expressing concerns - BUT no money raised

continued Convocation - £20,000 subsidy/yr for 6 years, and new set of cannons (including Etcetera Oath)

2nd Bishops’ War

defeat, disaster for CI

antagonised English Prots as saw Scot Covenanters as allies

borrowed money from CATHOLICS

English army = weak, ill-equipped, uncommitted

Treaty of Ripon

(Oct 1640) - CI to agree to pay £850 a day for Scottish army expenses

Long parliament opened

Impact of Scottish rebellion on England

Inspiration

Scottish Triennial Act (June 1640) - direct precedent for English MPs to follow

Power to English parl

Scots believed long term power achieved by constraining CI’s power in England → Eng parl called, limits on CI

Nov 1640: new Eng Parl v strong position against CI