What was the significance of the failure of the Short Parliament (April-May 1640)?

When was the 'Pacification of Berwick'?

It was on the 19th of June 1639.

What led to the 'Pacification of Berwick'?

Charles joined his troops at Berwick on the 30th of May 1639 and issued a proclamation announcing that he would not invade Scotland.

On the 11th of June 1639, negotiations began that ended in the 'Pacification of Berwick' on the 19th of June.

What was the 'Pacification of Berwick'?

Both sides agreed to disband both their armies. The absence of Parliament- meant that there would be no parliamentary grants or forms of taxation or military grants to fund the war with the Scottish Covenanters.

There was no support from MPs or the Political Nation on the best way to negotiate terms with the Scots, instead Charles escalated tensions. Without Parliamentary grants Charles lacked the resources needed to defeat the Scots.

'Black Tom Tyrant' (the Earl of Strafford) ends the 11 year tyranny

-Sir Thomas Wentworth (Earl of Strafford from January 1640) was recalled to England in September 1639. He advised Charles to recall Parliament.

-Strafford believed that the MPs could be won over. The Privy Council unanimously recommended that Charles called a new Parliament.

What happened in the Short Parliament?

-Charles demanded money- Parliament refused to grant supply unless Charles agreed to make concessions on a range of issues.

-Parliament was led by John Pym and John Hampden, they were determined to address the tyranny of the Personal Rule.

-Tensions from Personal Rule continued and made it difficult for the re-opening of Parliament in 11 years.

How was the Short Parliament significant?

-Organised opposition began to emerge: Pym refused to allow the House of Lords to vote subsidies.

-John Hampden (the MP for Wendover) was more persuasive in private, sitting on nine committees.

-Key figures demanded limits to the King's powers.

What were Crown-Parliament relations in 1640?

-No granting of supply until grievances had been dealt with.

Three broad policy aims:

1- Assert the rights of Parliament

2- Dismantling all of Laud's religious reforms ;

3- Wanted Parliament to obtain control over taxation

King Charles had dissolved the Short Parliament after 3 weeks in anger.