Topic Five: Stuarts and the Civil War

How did the Stuarts become the ruling dynasty in England?

elizabeth died with no heirs, james was closest male relative,

Describe the early Stuart monarchs’ attitude regarding their rights as monarchs. How did this contribute to conflict with Parliament?

liked it, wrote books in praise of it

James was utterly convinced of his divine right to rule with absolute authority, and this position brought him into frequent conflict with the English parliament.

What caused the English Civil Wars?

Political

the conflict between the king and parliament. 

Charles wanted absolute power and parliament didn’t

charles tried to dissolve them but they said no anyway. 

Cultural

disagreements about religion

an Irish rebellion against English-Protestant rule broke out, necessitating even more funds for yet another army. Parliament passed a Militia Bill entrusting army command to a general it would name. This effectively stripped the King of his most fundamental responsibility, national defense. Given the ongoing rumors regarding Charles’s Catholic leanings, Parliament did not trust the King to command a defense against Catholic Irish rebels.

Why was the death of Charles I such a momentous event in European History?

For the first time in English history, the English people had judicially and publicly murdered their King. This went against the entire social and religious worldview of the time, running counter to thousands of years of sermons, ceremonies, traditions, and propaganda that enforced obedience to the king as a representative of God.

What was the Glorious Revolution and why was it such a crucial event in the development of Britain?

James gets run of from power, they tell him he needs to go.

• Parliament invites William of Orange: A group of influential leaders in Parliament secretly invited William of Orange, a Protestant and the husband of James's daughter Mary, to intervene.

• William's invasion: William landed in England with a Dutch fleet and army in November 1688, which was met with widespread support.

• James II flees: Faced with dwindling support and the reality of a successful invasion, James II initially fled London in December 1688 but was captured and returned before fleeing again in late December.

• Establishment of a new monarchy: A new Parliament was called, which declared that James had abdicated the throne. They invited William and Mary to rule as joint monarchs, establishing a constitutional monarchy where the powers of the monarchy were limited

no more catholic monarchs, now an english bill of rights.

Describe the general attitude of most Englishmen towards Catholics during the Stuart Period. How did religious tension contribute to political conflict during the Stuart Dynasty?

The general attitude of most Englishmen towards Catholics during the Stuart Period (1603–1714) was one of deep suspicion, hostility, and fear.

tension between protestants and catholics led to civil war, glorious rev.