2. James and Charles Flashcards
When did James become King of Scotland?
1567
What did James believe, theoretically, about monarchy?
Divine Right of Kings.
Describe James’ character.
Outgoing, intellectual, pragmatic.
How did James view himself in his foreign policy?
As ‘rex pacificus’: peacemaker King.
Give an example of how James’ intellectual interests were exemplified at court.
Patronage of Shakespeare.
Why has James’ court sometimes been described as ‘drunken, immoral and debauched’?
Over-reliance on favourites, donated large amounts of money to Scottish friends, probably gay.
Which favourite was favoured by both James and Charles?
George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.
What are the main criticisms of James’ kingship?
Lax control of finances, court immorality.
Why do some historians argue that James’ attitudes to court were necessary?
A king at this time was expected to be generous.
Why did Charles not expect to be King?
His older brother Henry unexpectedly died in 1612.
What were Charles’ views on kingship?
Strong belief in Divine Right of Kings.
Describe Charles’ character.
Insecure, confrontational, insular.
How was Charles’ views on monarchy expressed through his court?
Court masques that showed Charles restoring order from chaos.
Why did some people have concerns over Charles’ patronage of the arts?
They were very expensive, and appeared to portray Charles as an absolutist Catholic monarch.
Who did Charles marry?
Henrietta Maria, French Catholic princess.
