Charles I and his parliament, 1625-29

r - religion, fp - foreign policy, f - finance, p - parliament

how many parliaments did Charles I call between 1625-29

* he called three parliaments in order to secure finance for his foreign policy.
* this indicated Charles’ relationship with parliament had rapidly deteriorated

(r) why did Charles I’s religious policy create tension?

* the Kings open support for Arminianism (form of Protestantism) alienated the majority of the political class (who held economic, social and political influence)
* many viewed Arminianism as being dangerously close to Catholicism.

(r) how did Charles show his support for Arminianism?

* promoting the Arminian Richard Montagu to his royal chaplain in the face of parliamentary calls for Montagu’s impeachment (1625)
* allowing his favourite, the Duke of Buckingham to state his favour for Arminianism at the York House Conference (1626)
* making the Arminian William Laud the Bishop of London (1628)

(fp) why was his foreign policy such a failure

* he called parliament to fund a raid on Cadiz which turned out to be a disaster (1625)
* when he sought to help the French Huguenots, his forces were defeated at La Rochelle (1627)

(fp) what was the response to the failure of foreign policy?

* both defeats were seen as national humiliations
* parliament directed their anger towards Duke of Buckingham (Charles’ favourite) who had overseen foreign policy.
* parliament wanted him impeached - Charles refused to use him as a scapegoat.

(fp) when was Buckingham assassinated and what was the response?

* he was assassinated in 1628
* the public rejoiced at his death
* this increased Charles’ hostility towards parliament

(f) how did Charles finance foreign policy?

* he needed to raise additional income through taxation - needed parliamentary approval
* in 1625 parliamentary agreed to two subsidies worth £140,000 but he had asked for £1 million so he asked for more
* parliament refused to grant more money

(f) what did Charles do when parliament refused to grant him more money?

* in 1625 he dissolved parliament and sough other means of income
* he levied a forced land worth 5 subsidies (taxation without parliament)
* the loan was successful in raising money but caused significant resentment.

(f) what was the five knights case?

* five knights who refused to pay were imprisoned and refused bail
* for many this was a clear indication of Charles’ absolutist intentions - the king was not only taxing without consent, but also imprisoning as he wished

(p) how did the MPs react to Charles’ policies?

* the MPs asserted that the King was acting illegally and contrary to the established forms of govt.
* when Charles called his third parliament (1628) he demanded the immediate granting of taxes to continue the wars.
* MPs decided to grant no money until their grievances were addressed.

(p) how did parliament address their grievances? (PoR)

* Petition of Right:
* no taxation without the consent of parl.
* no imprisonment without cause shown
* no billeting of soldiers or sailors upon householders against their will
* there should be no martial law to punish ordinary offences by sailors or soldiers

(p) how did Charles respond to the Petition of Rights?

* he was desperate for parliamentary funds, so accepted the PoR on 7th June 1628
* his written reply didn’t use the traditional form of words and thus denied the Petition lawful status - the commons insisted on the correct response and Charles eventually gave it

(p) how did the MPs respond to Charles (3R)

* Charles’ reaction to the Petition forced MPs to make a more direct statement of their concerns - Three Resolutions - 2nd March 1629
* this denounced Arminianism and encouraged merchants to refuse to pay tonnage and poundagae
* on the 10th March 1629 Charles announced the dissolution of parliament - resolving to govern without parl. starting the Personal Rule