(9) The Political Nation, 1640 Flashcards
When was the ‘Short Parliament’?
13 April - 5 May 1640
Who advised the king to recall Parliament?
The Earl of Strafford
Why was the Parliament closed so soon?
- Strafford suggested using the Irish Army
- Charles expected he may get money from the Pope or Spanish king
- Strafford was ill and could not politically advise Charles
- Parliament did not trust Charles to listen to their grievances
What did the October Treaty of Ripon demand?
Charles recall Parliament
When was the ‘Long Parliament’ called?
November 1640
What were the strengths of the king?
- support in the House of Lords
- Charles sat at the pinnacle of the justice system
- the authority of the militia
- censorship of the press
- support from Laud and Wentworth
- resources in the 3 kingdoms
When did 12 peers call on Charles to call a new parliament?
In August 1640, otherwise, they would not work with him
What were the weaknesses of Charles?
With his own words and actions, he had alienated many gentries and was reliant on voluntary goodwill
What were the strengths of Parliament?
- unity of purpose: remedy the abuses of personal rule and revive the relationship between the crown and parliament
- interconnections between key individuals
- quality of intellect, many lawyers
- political support from London
What were the aims of the Long Parliament?
- dismantle prerogative courts
- abolish Ship Money collection
- remove king’s ‘evil advisors’
- remove Laudian excessiveness
- ensure regular parliaments
- prevent dissolution without consent
How many signatures were on the root and branch petition?
15,000
What were Bedford’s bridge appointments?
A workable financial settlement while in return, Charles would agree to hold regular parliaments and abolish the worst of the personal rule and Laud and Strafford would be replaced by Bedford and Pym
When was Bedford admitted to the Privy Council?
February 1641
What threatened the Bridge appointments?
The covenanters declared that if episcopacy was not abolished in Scotland and Strafford was not executed, they would not work with Bedford
How did the bridge appointments fail?
Bedford died in May 1641
What did Oliver St John turn the Londoner’s petition into in Dec 1640?
The Root and Branch Bill
When was the Root and Branch Bill presented to the Commons?
May 1641
What was the intent of the Root and Branch Bill?
‘to root out episcopacy, root and branch’
What was the difficulty of the Root and Branch Bill?
- some wanted to remove Laud’s influence because it was higher than the king’s authority
- some wanted to return the Church to pre-Laudian style
- some wanted to remove Laud and Arminian bishops
When and why was the Root and Branch Bill shelved?
In August 1641 - it proved too decisive
When was Strafford impeached?
30 November 1640
When was Laud impeached?
December 1640
