Charles Personal Rule (1629-40) basics

What was the nature of the Personal Rule?

It was eleven years of tyranny and rule without Parliament.

What is absolutism?

- A form of government in which the King has unlimited power.

- Parliament had little to no role

Other features:

- Arbitary government

- Standing army/ militia rule

- Synonymous with Catholicism (associated with Spain and France).

What was the organisation of the Personal Rule?

Aims: to maintain and strengthen royal authority

Key figures: Sir Thomas Wentworth and William Laud (Bishop of London and appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1633)

The Privy Council

The Prerogative courts- The King's Courts and the Star Chamber- William Laud was a member

Regional councils- governance of Northern Ireland.

Who were Charles' chief advisors?

Sir Thomas Wentworth and William Laud

What was Through?

It was developed by Wentworth and it was a more centralised form of government.

What were the positives and negatives of 'Thorough?'

Positives:

-New roads, improvements to the postal service.

-Prerogative courts worked speedily

- Charles' work ethic

-Centralisation of decision-making

Negatives:

-JPs and officials were given a tough workload

- The structure of government did not change

-Courts and officials were secretly guilty of high-handedness

-Local interests were sacrificed for central interests

- Centralisation of decision-making did not always produce the right decision.