Charles I: Exam questions

it was the actions of Charles I from 1629 the cause of the civil war in 1642

 For: Personal rule - introduced controversial taxation such as forced loans and ship money 

For: Controversial religious policies - Promotion of Laud and Arminiansim seen as a step towards Catholicism, English book of prayers

Against: Assertiveness of Parliament - Execution of Strafford, Death of Buckingham, Grand Remonstrance

How accurate is it to say that Charles I’s Personal Rule was a finacial success

For: Ship money was a regular nationwide income - £200k per year, extended inland in 1635

For: Limited international expenditure - No major wars were fought in comparison to the 1620’s ,Cadiz (1625) and La Rochelle (1627) cost 500k

Against: Methods only created short term success - Ship money going nationwide caused discontent, Hampden case (1637) showed deteriorating authority of monarch.

How accurate is it to say that the actions and attitudes of Charles I were the most significant factor causing the problems faced by the monarchy from 1629-1640

For: Personal rule caused political resentment - Ship money (1634), Forest fines (1636), prerogative taxes to raise revenue without parliamentary consent.

For: Religious policies - Laud (1633),English book of prayers to Scots (1637) = bishops war

Against: Already had long term issues - £1m in debt by 1625, Cadiz expedition, T+P already limited

How accurate is it to say that the successes of Charles I Personal rule outweighed the failures

For: Short term financial success - Ship money + avoiding wars

Against: Financial policies alienated parliament and the public - Hampden case 1637 , 5/12, low support and authority

Against: Religious tensions - Laudian reforms, English Prayer book to Scot (1627) led to Bishop Wars’ (1639 + 1640) calling then the Long Par (1640)