Key Terminology

Republic

supreme political power is held by elected representatives rather than a hereditary monarch

King-in-Parliament

• the power of the monarch to make laws with the assistance and approval of parliament

• power is not unlimited

What was the highest form of law which generally took precedence over perogative actions?

statute law

Perogative

powers that can only be wielded by the king

Impeachment

a process where government officials and advisors are accused of crimes by the House of Commons and tried in the House of Lords

Why was it important?

• demonstrated public anger to king

• removed incompetent or corrupted, disliked individuals

Arminian

• Rejected Calvinist notion of predestination: believed that all Christians have free will and can influence whether they enter heaven or hell

• In 1620/30s Arminianism associated with high church practices (similar to Catholic Church): use of organs, hymns and bowing to the cross

habeas corpus

• A demand made by a prisoner to their custodian

• Gives the prisoner the right to go before a court and demand to know the reason for their detention

Perogative Court

A court where the powers of the sovereign are exercised, often by judges nominated by the monarch.

Puritan

• Protestant

• Beliefs: to simplify worship and purify it from the taint of Catholic ceremony and superstition

Calvinist

• Beliefs: people can only achieve salvation through God’s grace and not through their own merits

• 17th century: believed if they showed outward signs of godliness, it may be a sign they had been predestined by God to enter heaven

Presbytarian

A church governed by an assembly of elders or officials rather than a hierarchy of bishops.

Long Parliament

Called this because although it was purged and unable to assemble for long periods of time, it was not dissolved until March 1660.

Pym’s Junto

• The group that organised opposition strategy to the king in the Long Parliament

• Led by John Pym, John Hampden and Arthur Haselrig

• Pym: trained as lawyer, recorded all Charles’ illegal actions

Act of Attainder

• Act of parliament that acts as a death warrant

• Only required a suspicion of guilt

• If passed by both Houses and signed by monarch no trial required