Section 2: English Civil War and Glorious Revolution

Quick overview of the 17th century

• Europe was dominated by absolute monarchs who believed the divine right in kings

• This unit displays the pushback by the people to these ideas where they firmly establish a constitutional monarchy in the 17th century

What is a constitutional monarchy?

Monarch who is limited by in power by a written set of laws

What is parliament?

Group of lawmakers (1. House of Commons, 2. House of Lords…look familiar??) We saw this during the Magna Carta and Reformation

Order of Rulers beginning in 1558 to 1625

1. Queen Elizabeth (1558)

2. King James I (1603)

3. King Charles I (1625)

Queen Elizabeth I

• Youngest daughter of Henry 8th who will assume the throne after her crazy sister Mary dies

• Won the Spanish Armada and prevented the conversion of Catholicism

• She recognized how much conflict revolved around religious struggles that pushed England back and forth between Protestantisma dn Catholocism

Elizabethan Settlement

“Middle Way”—Elizabeth and her parliament established the Anglican Church: a Protestant Church but kept the structure of the Catholic Church and many Catholic practices

Puritans

• Annoying radical group who found the Anglican to be “too Catholic”: and opposed the Settlement

• They were just plain boring people who didn’t enjoy the decorations of the church and felt that the Church should be plain to emphasize scripture rather than external beauty

• Hierarchy was also “too similar” to Catholicism

• Believed in Calvinist ideas like Predestination

James i (1603-1625)

THE FIRST STUART KING; James was her cousin, he was James VI of Scotland was coronated James I of England while also staying king of Scotland (talk about greedy!)

• head of Anglican Church and called for a new translation of the English Bible which is the ….KING JAMES BIBLE!!

Charles I (1625-1649)

King of England; became king upon the death of his father (James I!!)

• however…he believed in the Divine Right of Kings (YIKES!)

Charles I & Absolute Rule (think of Trump)

• Charles began to raise taxes and take out loans for the government on his OWN authority (WTF CHARLES)

• Obvi Parliament is pissed because this system was set up as a way of consulting…without consultation, what’s the point of parliament? Therefore they felt as if their service was neglected and tossed aside

Parliament’s Response to Charles’ absolute bitchyness: Petition of Right (1628)

They made a demand on the King where the King agreed NOT to

1. Imprison subjects without due cause

2. Levy taxes without Parliament’s consent

3. House soldiers in private homes

4. Impose martial law in peacetime

Charles’ Personal Rule and bitchyness again

• dissolved parliament in 1629-1640

• then uses this dumb old medieval laws to collect taxes without Parliament’s Consent

Personal Rule of Charles I: Religious Version

• brought a new common prayer book to Anglican Church which stressed ceremony of prayer

• wanted everyone to practice Anglicanism in the SAME way.

• Protestant groups like Puritans and Presbyterians highkey hated this

• Scotland invades England because they feel as if they are religiously threatened or whatever

End of Personal Rule of Charles I

• Charles is thankfully forced to call back Parliament. He ran out of money and needed funds after 11 years (EMBARRASSING)

• Before granting his demands, they attempt to reassert their power and limit his

• He responds by marching into Parliament and arresting members who opposed him (dumbass) and they escaped'

• Obviously people are mad and there’s a raid outside his palace where he is forced to flee to Northern England

Start of English Civil War (1642-1649)

• struggle between the supporters of Parliament and the Puritans and the Monarchy erupts into a full scale civil war in England

• fought for religion and politics…history is messy and back then there was no separation

Combants in English Civil War: CAVALIERS

• the Royalists

• Nick name given to the supporters of King Charles I

• Most of the Noble Families and Rich Land Owners joined this side

• Moderate Protestants & Catholics

Combatants in English Civil War: ROUNDHEADS

• Parliamentarians

• Nick Name given to supporters of Parliament

• Made up of townspeople and city dwellers

• Many Puritans and Presbyterians join this group

• Lead by Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell “Lord Protector”

• strictest Puritan believer in the book

• General of the Roundheads (weirdo cult)

• Member of parliament from Oxford

• founded New Model Army( better leaders with skill)

New Model Army

They win the civil war (go roundheads I guess) and capture Charles I. Charles I escapes and tries to RESTART the war (idiot) and is captured again. Charles is beheaded bye

Lord Protectorate Cromwell (16520 1659)

• due to his immense power as commander of the New Model Army he becomes leader of England after the death of Charles I

Life (hell) under Cromwell

England was just a land of depression

• Christmas celebration was banned

• Make up was outlawed

• colorful dresses were banned

• theater and sporting events were banned

• HE LITERALLY STILL INDULGED IN ALL OF THESE HE JUST DIDNT LET PEOPLE DO IT

• he was religiously tolerant yay (except catholics)

Cromwell and Richard (period of Restoration)

Cromwell dies of Malaria (YAY) and his Son Richard follows him as Lord Protector (Aw)

• forced out of office after 9 months and Charles II (Chales I son) was made monarch in 1660

• he was lowkey just not the right fit

Charles & Habeas Corpus

demanding to see judge and court

The Problem of Succession

• charles had no legit heris

• his younger bro James II was his hei

• He had been living in France (under Louis 14!!) and adopted Catholocism

  • Uh oh…CATHOLOCICM…parliament prolly pissed

Political Parties Emerge in England-Whigs

Distrust Catholicism, favor a limited monarch (strengthened Parliament) and want a Protestant King, Oppose James

Political Parties Emerge in England- Tories

support a strong Monarch, support James, Support Religious Toleration

James II King of England (1685-88)

WIns the throne, and survives an attempted rebellion by the illegitamate son of Charles II

James II donwfall

Declaration of Indulgence— Free to do ANY religion

Attempted to repeal Test Act—law by parliament that says PROVE your protestant

Appointed Catholics to positions in Govn’t (Yikes)

Heir is Catholic (Mega Yikes)

Glorious Revolution 1688

William of Orange (King of Netherlands) is married to James II older daughter, Mary

• both are Protestants

• English Whig Peers (nobility) ask them to come and rule in place of James

• James army is an unloyal btch and he flees for France and William and Mary become joint Monarchs in 1689

• This is alos known as the “Bloodless Revolution)

William

Now leader of TWO Protestant countries (okay period)

Wanted to make sure with Catholic France (opposed Louis XIV)

But he needed to raise taxes by asking the government to enter the war

William passes the English Bill of Rights 1689

Establihed a Constitutional Monarchy;