The Stuarts

The Stuart Dynasty

1603-1714

James I

1603-1625

Charles I

1625-1649

Charles II

1660-1685

James II

1685-1688

William III and Mary II

1689-1702

Anne I

1702-1714

James I was a Catholic or a protestant ?

He was a protestant, in 1581 he signed the Negative Confession in which he rejected the Pope and Catholic doctrines.

Who did James I married in 1590 ?

He married Anne of Denmark.

When was James I crowned and why ?

He was crowned on the 25th of July 1603, the coronation was delayed because of the Plague.

What were James I’s ambitions ?

He wanted to establish a singe kingdom under one monarchy and one Parliament. He was in favour of the Union between England and Scotland.

What was the Millenary petition ?

It was a petition signed by Puritans who were asking for small request concerning the Reformation of the Church of England, they asked to abolish superstitions and ceremonial practices. It was presented to James I in 1603 and it led to the Hampton Court Conference.

What was Hampton Court Conference ?

In 1604, James I convened a conference to address issues raised by the Millenary Petition, aiming to reconcile differences between the Church of England and Puritan demands. At first, this conference was in favour of toleration but the King rejected most of their demands: No Bishops, No King.

King James’s Bible

In 1611, James commissioned a new translation of the Bible. A commitee of 50 scholars, translators, linguists and theologians worked on it.

What was the Somerset Conference ?

In 1604, this Conference restored commercial relationships between england and the Spanish Netherlands.

What was the Gunpowder Plot ?

November the 5th 1605. It was a failed attempt to blow up the House of Lords during the state opening of Parliament using barrils of gunpowder. The plot was orchestrated by a group of English Catholics, including Guy Fawkes, to assassinate King James I and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne.

What was the Monteagle Letter ?

A letter sent to Lord Monteagle, a Catholic, warning him of the Gunpowder Plot, advising him to avoid the Houses of Parliament. Suspicious, he showed the letter to Robert Cecil who invistigated.

What as the consequence of the Gunpowder Plot ?

The Gunpowder Plot led to increased anti-Catholic sentiment in England, resulting in harsher laws against Catholics: May 1606: Oath of Allegiance.

What kind of King was James I ?

James I had an extravaggant way of living, he loved hunting and was often absent from the Court, he had male favourites like George Villier, duke of Buckingham. He was often seen as a weak ruler, struggling with Parliament and issues of governance.

Did James I ever dissolved Parliament ?

Yes, in 1614, the King dissolved Parliament over tensions regarding finance and political control.

When was Charles I crowned ? What kind of man was he ?

Charles I was crowned on February 2, 1625. He stuttered and was insecure, he expressed his social akwardness throught authoritarian directivesand a strong belief in the divine right of kings.

Was the Duke of Buckingham murdered ?

Yes, he was assassinated on August 23, 1628.

What was the Petition of Right about ?

Because of tensions between the monarchy and Parliament, Parliament produced, in 1628, a list of grievances in response to Charles’s abuses of power. This Constitutional docuement sought to limit the King's ability to levy taxes without Parliament's consent, imprison subjects without cause, and impose martial law during peacetime. It is considered a revival of Magna Carta (1215).

When did Charles I married Henrietta Maria of France ?

Charles I married Henrietta Maria of France on June 13, 1625, shortly after his coronation.

What was the Thirty Years war about ?

The Thirty Years' War was a series of conflicts in Europe from 1618 to 1648, primarily involving the struggle between Catholic and Protestant states within the Holy Roman Empire. In 1626, Charles I attempted to raise money to finance his wars without sumoning Parliament.

What was Charles’s personal rule ?

In 1629, the King dissolved Parliament for the first time. Charles's personal rule, also known as the Eleven Years' Tyranny, was the period from 1629 to 1640 when he governed without calling Parliament, leading to increased tensions and conflicts over royal authority. To bypass Parliament, he rule by decree and implemented various way to raise money: taxes.

What happened in 1637 ?

Charles I tried to impose an English book of Common prayer in Scotland, he challenged the Kirk. It led to the emmergence of two major groups: the Solemn League and the Scottish Convenanters.

Who was William Laud ?

William Laud was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633 to 1645, he wanted a more Catholic-style Church of England and organised a counter-reformation.

What was Arminianism ?

Arminianism is a theological ideology that opposes predestination, emphasizing free will and the belief that God's grace is available to all individuals. It was influential during the 17th century and shaped debates within the Church of England.

What was the situation in Ireland during Charles I’s reign ?

During Charles I's reign, Ireland faced significant unrest and conflict, marked by tensions between Protestant settlers and the Catholic majority. This culminated in the Ulster Rebellion of 1641, where 3000 Protestants were slaughtered because of Irish Catholic resented the English rule.

What was the Great Remonstrance ?

The Great Remonstrance was a document presented to King Charles I by the Parliament in 1641, it was a list of all the grievances against the king's rule and calling for reforms in governance and the Church of England. It denounced the role of Bishops, papists and evil councilors. The document was rejected by the King.

What started the first Civil War ?

The first Civil War was sparked by King Charles I's attempt to arrest five members of Parliament in 1642, leading to a breakdown in relations between the monarchy and Parliament, and escalating tensions over issues of governance and authority.

Who were the main actors of this conflict ?

The main actors of the conflict included King Charles I, Parliamentarians (Roundheads), and Royalists (Cavaliers), with significant figures like Oliver Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax playing pivotal roles.

Who was Oliver Cromwell ?

Oliver Cromwell was a military and political leader during the English Civil War, known for leading the Parliamentarian forces to victory against the Royalists. He later became Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, establishing a republican government. In July 1644, he won the Battle of Marston Moor which established him as Great Commander.

What was the topic of Oliver Cromwell and Henry Montagu’s debate ?

The debate centered around the governance of England, should the King be killed or brought to negotiations ? Oliver Cromwell argued that the King should be executed for high treason which led to the creation of the New Model Army in 1645.

What was the New Model Army ?

The New Model Army was a revolutionary military force formed by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War in 1645. It was a permanent Army, based on merit and effectiveness not on social class. Thomas Fairfax was appointed General of this Army.

Who were the different groups of dissenters ?

The different groups of dissenters included various Protestant sects such as the Levellers, Diggers, and Quakers, who sought religious and political reforms during the English Civil War and the Interregnum.

What were the Putney debates ?

The Putney debates were a series of discussions in 1647 among the New Model Army's leaders and representatives of the Levellers, focusing on issues of governance and the rights of citizens.

What started the second civil war ?

After Charles I’s defeat against Parliamentarian forces, he was captured but secretely signed a military agreement (the engagement) with the Scots who invade England in 1648, aiming to regain his throne.

What happened on the 6th of December 1648 ?

Colonel Pride led a purge of the Long Parliament, removing members who were not supportive of the New Model Army who wanted to put the King on Trial. This event is known as Pride's Purge, which resulted in the establishment of the Rump Parliament.

What were the charges against Charles I ?

He was accused of tyranny and of having waging war against his people, dissolving Parliament to rule alone for 11 years and invading England with the Scots. He was found guilty of high treason.

What was Charles I’s reaction to the trial ?

Charles I refused to recognize the court's authority, claiming it was illegal: “No court has the right to judge a king”. He maintained his position as king and refused to plead.

When was Charles I executed ?

Charles I was executed on January 30, 1649, in front of the Banqueting House, after being found guilty of high treason. It was a public execution attended by a large crowd for whom it was a significant yet traumatic historical event.

What happened after Charles I execution ?

In February 1649, the Rump Parliament passsed an act to abolish monarchy and to establish a Republic known as the Commonwealth of England, led by Oliver Cromwell.

What happened to the Rump Parliament on April 20th 1649 ?

On April 20th, 1649, the Rump Parliament was dissolved by Oliver Cromwell, leading to the establishment of a more authoritarian rule: the Protectorate.

What was the Barebones Parliament ?

The Barebones Parliament was a short-lived assembly established in July 1653 by Oliver Cromwell,composed of nominated representatives.

The Protectorate ?

The period of rule under Oliver Cromwell from 1653 to 1658, characterized by military governance and the consolidation of power.

When did Oliver Cromwell become Lord Protector ?

Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector on December 16, 1653.

What was the Instrument of Government ?

The Instrument of Government was the first written constitution in England, enacted in 1653, which established the framework for the Protectorate and outlined the powers of the Lord Protector. It was written by John Lambert.

What was the second constitution of the Protectorate ?

The Humble Petition and Advice, enacted in 1657, which aimed to establish a more monarchical government under Cromwell. The Parliament offered Oliver Cromwellthe title of king to strengthen his position as head of state, but he declined.

When did Oliver Cromwell die and what happened to the protectorate ?

Oliver Cromwell died on September 3, 1658, leading to the decline of the Protectorate as his son, Richard Cromwell, succeeded him but was deposed by the army in 1659 because of his weak leadership.