How did Charles I take Personal Rule too far?

What was the opposition to Personal Rule by 1637?

Financial issues: impositions and fiscal feudalism and the reaction to the Hampden Case (opposition to tax on ship money).

Religious issues: The imposition of the Book of Sports in 1633, Laud's Arminian reforms, the Puritan gentry turned against the King after the case of Burton, Pyrnne and Bastwick case (they opposed the Laudian reforms-1637).

Administration: Arbitary powers of the Court of Star Chamber (presided over by Laud).

-Wentworth's efficiency of 'Thorough' alienated many in Ireland.

Scotland: a history of tension

There were long-term antagonisms- England had invaded Scotland numerous times in the past. Many Scots did not like the English- they viewed them as invaders.

-England was both richer and more economically developed than Scotland- more tax revenue. Scotland was socially backward-it possessed a large, combative and armed feudal nobility.

-The Protestant Reformation had gone much further in Scotland- the Scottish Kirk was radically Calvinist.

Scotland, 'the Brave'

-Many Scottish landlords maintained private armies of retainers. The Scots had established a reputation for being tough warriors and good fighters- in fact, mercenaries were one of Scotland's principal exports.

England 'the unprepared'

-Since the 1490s, England had become an essentially demilitarised nation. The focus of English militarism was at sea.

-English military preparedness was further affected by the fact that Charles had declared English neutrality in the 30 Years War.

What was the 1625 Act of Revocation?

This was a prerogative act passed by King Charles I in 1625 that reclaimed royal and Church property that had been given away since 1540. This took land from the Scottish elite.

-The aim was to acquire their tithes to provide funding for the Scottish Church.

What was some of the opposition to the 1625 Act of Revocation?

The Act annoyed the clergy, because the financial benefits they received were by no means an equivalent for the increased control which the Act gave the Crown over the Church.

1633: Charles visited Edinburgh

Charles was appalled by the Presbyterians' lack of ceremony and unscripted prayers.

The Scots ridiculed the Anglican's liturgy's 'praying by numbers' approach.

Imposing religious conformity

Charles imposed a new Prayer Book by Proclamation. Bishops- tried to persuade Charles to modify the Prayer Book, Charles rebuked this and issued a new set of ecclesiastical canons (church laws) in 1635. Charles promoted bishops to the Privy Council.

Religious strife led to rebellion

-The lowland Scots were Presbyterian. They had accepted some reform to the Church of Scotland- the re-introduction of bishops.

-They viewed the promotion of Arminianism (or Laudianism) in Scotland as a threat to the 'true' religion- the work of the devil.

On the 23rd of July 1637: a riot broke out in St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.

What was the political reaction in Scotland?

Response was swift and decisive. On the 23rd of February 1638, an emergency body known as the 'Tables' was formed to organise the opposition- they drew up the 'National Covenant' in the Kirk in Edinburgh.

In November 1638, the General Assembly of the Kirk abolished Scotland's bishops completely.

What was the content of the 1638 Scottish National Covenant?

It was a declaration of allegiance that bound together Scottish nationalism and the Calvinist faith. It contained:

-The Confession of Faith of 1580 (the affirmation of Calvinist faith)

-The 'Negative Confession' of 1581 (condemnation of Catholicism and the papacy which had become the test for the public office).

-Condemnation of the 1635 ecclesiastical canons and 1637 Prayer Book.

The Covenanters took a sacred pledge to defend the true religion and Scotland's political rights

Charles' response

He sent his most trusted advisor, the Marquess of Hamilton, to negotiate with the Covenanters. Charles addressing Hamilton in June 1638 stated that: 'I intend not to yield to the demands of those traitors the Covenanters'.