(2) Relations with Parliament and the impact of foreign policy

when was Charles’s first parliament called and why

1625, to fund the war against Spain

→he had already married Henrietta Maria (catholic) by proxy

what were the key events of when parliament was first called

→Charles gave a short speech which shocked the MPs

→Parliament granted two subsidies (£140,000 when the king needed £1 million)

→they granted tonnages and poundage for only one year instead of for life (charles had to collect them ‘illegally’ after 1 year

→MPs attacked Buckingham’s influence and demanded he be removed

what was the outcome of events of when Parliament was first called

Charles dissolved Parliament in August, having insufficient funds

what happened in parliament of 1626

The Cadiz expedition had been a humiliating failure, wasting money - CHARLES NEEDED MORE MONEY

key events of 1626 with parliament

→the commons immediately began impeachment proceedings against Buckingham

→because Sir John Eliot accused Buckingham of incompetence, monopolising patronage (treason as well)

→Charles stormed into the House of Lords and demanded for it to be dropped

What did charles do when the commons (parliament) continued impeaching Buckingham and the outcome

Charles dissolved Parliament in 1626

→No new taxes, Charles left without parliamentary income

what did Charles do after being left with no help from parliament

forced loans

explain the forced loans

Charles demanded compulsory loans from wealthier subjects

→it was an ancient prerogative, but its legality was dubious

resistance to the forced loan

over 70 men refused to pay, including Sir Thomas Darnell and other gentry

what happened to those who refused to give forced loans

imprisoned without trial

what occurred in 1627 as opposition to the forced loans

five knight’s case - however the king’s judges ruled that the king could imprison anyone without showing if he claimed it as ‘state business’

impact of the five knights case

→proved arbitrary arrest occurred

→alienated the propertied classes, who saw their liberty under Magna Carta threatened

what happened with parliament in 1928

→Charles needed money for a new war

→faced growing opposition to the forced loan

key events in 1928

→MPs (like Sir John Eliot) refused to grant money until grievances were addresses

→they drew up petition of right

→after much evasion, Charles gave his formal assent on 7th June 1628

→despite this, MPs complained saying Buckingham was the cause of problems

→charles prorogued parliament in june

what occurred in terms of rights in 1628

petition of rights

what are the four key clauses (petition of right 1628)

1. no taxation without the consent of parliament

2. no imprisonment without due cause (rebuttal of five knights)

3. no quartering of soldiers on civilians

4. no martial law in peacetime

significance of petition of right

→formal restatement of English liberties

→ Charles’s assent was a major concession, but he soon ignored it.

what occurred in the 1629 session w

session dominated by 2 issues

→tunnage and poundage: Charles continued to collect this customs duty without parliament’s consent - MPs said it was illegal

→religion: Arminian innovations (moving communion tables to the east end) convinced puritans that Charles was leading England back to Rome

what began on march 10th 1629

Charles’ personal rule out of desperation