The Militia Ordinance and Five Members Coup

Why did the King feel he was in a strong enough position to reassert his authority

• scotland return 1641 cheering crowds

• close nature of votes Grand Remonstrance

• some counties petitions for episcopacy

• control of ToL with hard-line royalist Thomas Lunsford (increased fear of civil disorder)

• Falkland and Edward Hyde assuring of majority in HoC

Why did the King feel that now was the time where he HAD to re-assert his authority

• growing disorder in London meant that the King felt he had to re-assert control (+pressure from advisors)

• Henrietta Maria: insult to Divine Right

• Feared for safety of wife and children

The Attempt on the Five Members Key Details

• Attorney-General Sir Edward Herbert issues impeachment proceedings “six factious spirits” HoC for treason

• King fails to do so

• King addresses the Common Council at the Guildhall and demands that the Five Members be handed over

• King and Royal Family leave Whitehall for Hampton Court

• Five Members return in triumph to Westminster. ​

The Attempt on the Five Members Failures

• 10th January: The King left London for his own safety. (The opposition hold was by no means secure. He could have rallied support.​)

• lost physical connection from the capital by leaving, negotiation harder with Parliament and Mob radicalises further

• only option for those who did support him was to show their loyalty by leaving the house

• gave Pym a free hand to pass any legislation he wanted

The Attempt on the Five Members Significance

• Allows Pym to pass Bishop Exclusion Act

• Militia bill became Militia Ordinance (approved 1642)

• Lenthall put the privilege of Parliament above the orders of the Monarch. So support for Parliament.

• Intrusion on Parliamentary independance

• Charle’s absolutist tendencies

Militia Bill Key Details

Sir Arthur Haselrig introduced the Militia bill. Removes the king’s power to summon militia and gave Parliament the power to appoint army commanders. 

Militia Ordinance Key Details

• Replaced Militia Bill

• Transferred the authority to appoint Lord Lieutenants and their deputies from king to parliament (parliament is in command of militia)

• Ordinance means that it can be made law without royal assent

• £400,000 using Ship money to support militia (ironic)

Militia Bill divisive

• Chares was clear about how presumptuous Parliament had become, criticising the strange “exorbitant power”. 

• Debates over the Bill were so heated and extensive that they dragged on into February, by which time events had intensified further.

Attempt on the Five Members Speaker

• Assembles 500 soldiers and defies Parliamentary privileged by walking straight into the chamber.

• Orders the Speaker (William Lenthall) to point out the 5 commons MPs.

• Lenthall refuses. Members had been forewarned and fled by boat to City of London.

Bishop’s exclusion bill and December impeachment of bishops

• Lords accepted a Commons vote of impeachment against the bishops.

• Leads to their exclusion from the houses of lords.

• Parliament galvanised into action by petitioning a campaign (30,000 signatures in support).  

Bishop’s exclusion bill and December impeachment of bishops Significance

• Weakens a source of support for Charles in the upper chamber. So more support for Pym.  

When does Charles offer Pym the Chancellorship

• 1st January 1642

• Chancellor of Exchequer

• Compromise and stop assualts on his rule

What is the 5 members case in response to?

Introduction of the Bishop’s exclusion Bill