stuarts kq1

What was the source of political authority in the three British kingdoms?

The monarch was the source of law and government, deriving authority from God (divine right).

What was the centre of political life?

The Royal Court, consisting of the monarch’s advisers, servants, officials and foreign ambassadors.

What was the Privy Council?

An inner circle of advisers who provided guidance to the monarch; each kingdom had its own council.

Why was England the dominant kingdom?

It was wealthier and more powerful, and included Wales, making it the main centre of government.

Why was the monarch’s power not unlimited?

Statute law made by King

What control did the monarch have over the Church?

As head of the Church of England, the king appointed bishops and archbishops and controlled the clergy and laity.

What was the religious background of the Church of England?

It was Protestant, established after Henry VIII’s break with Rome and Elizabeth I’s settlement.

What role did the Archbishop of Canterbury play?

He was the senior church figure and usually a member of the Privy Council.

How was law enforced locally?

By Justices of the Peace (JPs), assisted by parish officials such as constables and churchwardens.

What role did parliament play before 1625?

It had limited but important functions and met only when summoned by the monarch.

Why was parliament becoming more important by 1625?

It was increasingly necessary for taxation and governance.

What problem did Charles I inherit in 1625?

An ongoing war with Spain linked to wider European religious conflicts.

What had James I attempted before the war?

Diplomatic solutions, including a Spanish marriage for Charles.

What marriage did Charles enter in 1625?

He married the Catholic Henrietta Maria of France.

What happened to the Mansfeld expedition?

English troops were poorly equipped and died from disease and hardship.

What financial problems did Charles face in 1625?

An empty treasury and limited credit.

Why did parliament refuse full Tonnage and Poundage?

They distrusted Charles after military failures and granted it for only one year.

What tensions arose in 1625?

Religious fears, military failure, and mistrust of Buckingham.

What was the outcome of the Cadiz expedition?

It failed due to poor leadership.

Why was parliament dissolved in 1625?

To prevent impeachment of Buckingham.

What happened in the 1626 parliament?

MPs attempted to impeach Buckingham again.

How did Charles respond to lack of taxation?

He imposed a forced loan.

Why was the forced loan controversial?

It bypassed parliament and challenged the law.

What was the Five Knights Case (1627)?

Five men challenged imprisonment for refusing the loan but were denied justice.

Why did Charles call parliament in 1628?

He needed money for wars against France and Spain.

What was the Petition of Right?

A document demanding no taxation without consent, no imprisonment without trial, and no forced billeting.

How did Charles respond to the Petition?

He accepted it but continued controversial practices.

What actions increased tensions in 1628–29?

Continued collection of Tonnage and Poundage and promotion of Arminians.

What happened in parliament in 1629?

MPs passed resolutions against royal policies by force.

What did Charles do in response?

Dissolved parliament and began Personal Rule.

Why was 1629 significant?

It marked the start of Personal Rule and a turning point towards conflict.

What did earlier historians argue about Charles?

That he aimed to establish absolute monarchy (“Eleven Years’ Tyranny”).

What do modern historians argue?

That he aimed for stable and efficient government.

How did the country react to Personal Rule?

Initially with little resistance.

Who were Charles’ key advisers?

William Laud and Thomas Wentworth (Strafford).

How did Charles improve finances (1630–36)?

Reduced war spending and increased revenue through taxes and monopolies.

What was Ship Money?

A tax traditionally for coastal defence, extended nationwide and made annual.

Why was Ship Money controversial?

It bypassed parliament and became a major source of royal income.

What was distraint of knighthood?

Fines imposed on landowners who failed to attend coronation.

How did Charles change the Church?

Promoted Arminianism, emphasised ritual, hierarchy and control.

What actions were taken against Puritans?

Non

What was the role of the Feoffees?

They supported Puritan clergy but were dissolved.

Why did some clergy emigrate?

To escape Laudian reforms.

What changes were made to churches?

Decoration increased, altars moved, and ceremonies emphasised.

What opposition emerged by 1636?

A group of Puritan gentry including John Pym and John Hampden.

What was the Hampden Case?

A legal challenge to Ship Money, narrowly decided in favour of the king.

What punishments did critics face?

Public mutilation and imprisonment (e.g. Prynne, Bastwick, Burton).

What caused the Scottish crisis?

Attempts to impose Anglican practices on Presbyterian Scotland.

What happened in 1637?

Riots broke out over the Prayer Book.

What was the National Covenant (1638)?

A pledge to defend the Scottish Church.

What was the outcome of the First Bishops’ War?

Charles agreed to peace (Treaty of Berwick, 1639).

Why did Charles recall parliament in 1640?

He needed money for war.

What was the Short Parliament?

Lasted only three weeks before being dissolved.

What happened in the Second Bishops’ War?

Charles was defeated and forced to pay the Scots.

What actions did the Long Parliament take (1640–41)?

Impeached Strafford and Laud and passed reforms.

What was the Triennial Act?

Required parliament to be called every three years.

How was Strafford executed?

Through an Act of Attainder.

What divisions emerged in parliament?

Between radicals and moderates.

What caused tension in 1641–42?

The Irish Rebellion and fear of Catholic plots.

What was the Grand Remonstrance?

A list of grievances against Charles.

Why was it significant?

It passed by only 11 votes, showing division.

What was the Five Members incident?

Charles attempted to arrest MPs but failed.

What happened after?

Charles left London and prepared for war.

When did the Civil War begin?

August 1642.

What advantages did the king have early on?

Support of nobility and military leadership.

What was the turning point?

Creation of the New Model Army (1645).

What was significant about Naseby (1645)?

Decisive parliamentary victory.

What happened after Charles surrendered (1646)?

Attempts were made to negotiate settlement.

What were the Newcastle Propositions?

Parliamentary demands including control of army and church reform.

Why did negotiations fail?

Charles delayed and refused key terms.

How did the army become political?

Soldiers formed councils and demanded reforms.

What were the Putney Debates?

Debates over democracy and voting rights.

What did Levellers want?

Wider suffrage and equality.

What triggered the Second Civil War (1648)?

Charles’ alliance with the Scots.

What was Pride’s Purge?

Removal of MPs who opposed trial of the king.

What happened to Charles I?

Tried and executed in January 1649.

What was established after 1649?

A Commonwealth without monarchy or House of Lords.

What problems did the Rump face?

Lack of support and reliance on the army.

Why did reforms fail?

Disagreement and slow progress.

What wars did Cromwell fight?

Campaigns in Ireland and Scotland.

What happened at Drogheda and Wexford?

Brutal massacres.

What was the result of Worcester (1651)?

Final defeat of royalists.

Why did Cromwell dissolve the Rump (1653)?

Frustration at lack of reform.

What was the Nominated Assembly?

A parliament of “godly” men.

Why did it fail?

Division between radicals and conservatives.

What was the Instrument of Government (1653)?

A written constitution establishing Cromwell as Lord Protector.

What powers did it give?

Control of army, parliament, and religious settlement.

What were the major

generals (1655–56)?

Why were they unpopular?

Military rule and social restrictions.

What was the Humble Petition and Advice (1657)?

A constitution offering Cromwell the crown.

Why did he refuse?

Opposition from the army and personal beliefs.

What happened after Cromwell’s death (1658)?

His son Richard failed to maintain control.

What did General Monck do?

Marched to London and restored parliament.

What was the outcome?

The eventual restoration of the monarchy.

What happened in January 1660?

Troops led by General Monck entered London to restore order after riots and demands for free elections.

What did Monck do in February 1660?

He allowed previously purged MPs (from 1648) to return so the Long Parliament could dissolve itself.

What was the Convention Parliament?

A newly elected assembly in April 1660 that was not summoned by the king.

What was the Declaration of Breda (1660)?

A statement issued by Charles II promising cooperation, amnesty, religious toleration, and army pay.

Where was the Declaration of Breda created?

In Breda in the Dutch Republic after Charles moved from France.

Why did Monck advise Charles to move to Holland?

Because it was Protestant and politically safer as restoration became likely.