Some history revision on Charles I

1. The quest for political stability 1625-88
The monarchical government failed because (1625-1646) –
- Of Charles’s relationship with Buckingham who failed foreign expeditions on 2
occasions but still remained his advisor.
- His Marriage to Henrietta Maria contributed to the protestant nightmare.
- His way of collecting finance as he felt Parliament did not fund him enough, such
as tonnage and poundage, a tax on imports and exports.
- Impeachment, Parliament introduced a bill to give Charles four subsidies which
he would lose if he dissolved Parliament. Charles then dissolved Parliament to
protect Buckingham.

2. Personal rule and its failure (1629-40)
How Charles attempted to finance (Illegal methods)
• Ship money – tax imposed on costal
counties and ports to build ships and to
protect trade from piracy
• Enclosure Fines – fines imposed on
landowners for fencing off open fields
• Revival of forest laws – Some forest used
to belong to royalty in medieval times and
they found who was on this land and taxed
me
• Distraint of Knighthood – Men owning £40
estates or higher a year must be knighted
or they will be fined
Problems with this
• Was later implemented on inland counties
and permanently sparking outrage
• Seen by landowners as a penalty for
improving their estates- not good
• Many landowners could not produce title
deeds for the land held by their families and
their land could be taken
• This was an old law from Tudor times, it also
took away from the honour of being knighted

3. How Charles wasn’t popular with Parliament
• Charles accused parliament of not supporting him through the first civil war
• Buckingham was not popular with the people and parliament
"Who rules the Kingdom? The King.
Who rules the King? The Duke.
Who the Duke? The Devil.“
• In 1626 Charles recalled Parliament in desperate need of money, he needed them to be on his
side. Already alienated by the collection of tonnage and poundage and by the humiliation at
Cadiz, the Members of Parliament were further annoyed by Charles I's underhand attempt to
keep his and Buckingham’s opponents out of parliament. (He named them as sheriffs, so as
legally to oblige them to remain in their counties).
• After Buckingham’s death 1629, Charles recalled Parliament once again hoping they would at
last co-operate with him now that Buckinghams was gone. Although, Charles’ stubbornness
and unwillingness to compromise meant that Charles arrested those who spoke against him
and immediately dissolved Parliament. Personal rule would now begin 1629-40.

4. 2. Religion conflict and dissent 1625-88
• Laud’s policies, Opponents of personal rule thoughts –
• Imposing uniformity – Emphasis on ritual, Altair Rails and separate altar, book of
common prayer and non confirming clergy suspended. Very Catholic and being
forced into change by a single man, a centralised power.
• Destroying puritanism – Laud used the courts of high commission to prosecute
puritan critics of the church. Leighton spoke badly of Laud’s policies and had his
nose slight, ears cut off and cheeks branded. Reinforces protestant nightmare.
• Restoring the fabric of the church – Bishops and priests were instructed to live in
their sees and beneficies (were they practice their religion) Bishop of exeter
should live in Exeter.
• The divine right of kings – Laud encouraged the clergy to preach sermons
supporting the divine nature of royal authority, if you support DROK you get a
promotion. You should preach holy things not about the king and his right.