Balance of power in 17th century Britain

Question 1

The Great Chain of Being

Answer 1

The order of being is deliberate and decided by God

This ideology helped stop people questioning and challenging their place in society

Question 2

Resources/qualities needed for a monarch to be powerful during this period

Answer 2

Finances and a means to stay rich, legitimacy, feared, loved and respected

Question 3

Powers the monarch had

Answer 3

Head of the Political Nation, Head of State (control of foreign policy), Commander-in-Chief of the military, power over legislation through the right to call parliament, Supreme Governor of the Church of England

Question 4

Limits to the monarch’s powers

Answer 4

Limited income, relied on the Political Nation to help run the country, subsidies only given by parliament, raising taxes meant a decrease in popularity, no forces or civil service to impose their will independently

Question 5

Causes of tension in society

Answer 5

Population growth led to price inflation and starvation

Agricultural production could not meet the demand for food

Question 6

Why was there no ‘class war’ despite tensions?

Answer 6

Belief in the Great Chain of Being stopped people challenging their place in society
Rioters often demanded laws to protect them rather than to overturn the government