Charles I - Crown v. Parliament 1625

Divine Right

  • Charles believed in the Divine Right of Kings.

  • A King was God’s regent on earth, answerable only to him.

  • Parliament believed the King should act within the law.

Analysis: Charles believed that he was chosen to be king by God and was very unlikely to compromise with anyone, including parliament. Parliament was frustrated by this, because they were rarely able to work and agree together.

Foreign Policy

  • The king could make and break alliances.

  • King can decide whether England went to war.

  • The Army only took orders from the King.

Analysis: Charles could use his army to form alliances. He could also force people to follow his ways. Beginning/joining wars was expensive and he was responsible for this. He could also affect the religion that a certain country followed.

Power over Parliament

  • Charles believed the King had the power to make decisions which were beyond the competence of parliament.

  • King appointed and controlled all ministers.

  • King called and dissolved parliament.

Analysis: Parliament couldn’t organise a meeting without Charles’ permission. The King has some loyalties from a few members of Parliament because he controlled their finances. If parliament discussed something Charles disagreed with, he would just dissolve parliament.

Charles’ Powers

  • King can arrange royal marriages.

  • Members of the privy council were not answerable parliament.

  • Ministers didn’t have to be chosen from parliament.

  • The king appointed bishops and decided on church doctrine.

Analysis: Charles has power over religion, parliament, his privy council and marriages. By arranging royal marriages, he could work to form alliances with other countries. He had huge power over religion and the church.

The Need for Money

  • Parliament expected the King to pay for his household, court and government from his own income.

  • Charles inherited a huge debt from his extravagant father.

  • The king called parliament more frequently to ask for money.

Analysis: Charles had huge income from taxes but also inherited a huge debt. Due to the fact that he had the power to start and join wars, he needed more money for this. He asked parliament for money frequently to fund these wars and his lifestyle.