Ch 2 James I & Charles I: character, court & favourites

Question 1

Qualities of James I

Answer 1

• intellectual
• outgoing; enjoyed debate
• pragmatic
• easy manner
• good communicator

Question 2

What did Kevin Sharpe say about Charles I?

Answer 2

-“he was a complete contrast to his father (James I)”

Question 3

Qualities of Charles I

Answer 3

• shy
• hampered (speech defect)
• unapproachable
• uncommunicative (esp. w/ Parliament & hampered dialogue w/ Political Nation led to the undermining of his authority)
• unwilling to compromise
• insecure; limited confidence
• inferiority complex (made him overstress his prerogative)
• saw criticism as form of rebellion
• saw conspiracies where existed or not

Question 4

James I view on Monarchy

Answer 4

• firm believer in Divine Right of Kings
• defensive of his prerogative
• pragmatic dealing w/ balance between royal prerogative & parliamentary privilege

Question 5

Charles I view on Monarchy

Answer 5

• firm believer in Divine Right of Kings
• defensive of his prerogative
• provocative dealing w/ balance between royal prerogative & parliamentary privilege

Question 6

What did James I see himself as?

Answer 6

-the “peacemaker king” (regards to foreign policy & negotiation w/ Political Nation, while defending his prerogative)

Question 7

What was the Bedchamber & why was there advantage here?

Answer 7

• private apartments; where monarch enjoyed privacy & access was strictly controlled (centre of court)
• men w/ more personal contact w/ monarch were sometimes more influential

Question 8

Who were the Privy Council?

Answer 8

• monarch’s official body of advisors & administrators to oversee policy
• held considerable power; yet monarch didn’t have to follow advice

Question 9

Who were the Gentlemen of the Bedchamber?

Answer 9

-courtiers appointed to wait upon the monarch in his private chambers; individuals had potentially greater political influence over monarch due to position here

Question 10

What was a faction?

Answer 10

-competing group in politics; sought the favour of the monarch

Question 11

What was the Court of James I like?

Answer 11

• open & lively (reflected king’s enjoyment of life)
• lots of physical interaction w/ courtiers
• intellectual interests emphasised; patronage of Shakespeare

Question 12

Source of tension in James I court?

Answer 12

• early dominance of the Bedchamber by Scots (although elite English held major state offices, they were still concerned about influence of Scots through access to James)
• financial extravagance (great looking glass covered in diamonds/precious stones Jan 1604)

Question 13

First Englishman James I appointed to Bedchamber?

Answer 13

-George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham (in 1615)

Question 14

When was James I reign?

Answer 14

-1603-1625

Question 15

When was Charles I reign?

Answer 15

-1625-1649

Question 16

What was Court of Charles I like?

Answer 16

• regarded as microcosm (miniature version of his state)
• strictly ordered
• included only his supporters (seem isolated from rest of country)
• offered those outside in no point of contact in political process
• dominated by Catholics & Arminians (denomination of Protestantism); brought religious integrity into question
• caused greater political damage because Catholicism at time was strongly linked w/ absolutism (seen in Spain & France)
• Political Nation was uneasy about having monarch who could rule freely without regard for their concerns
• patron of the arts (court masque); lavish court & financial extravagance

Question 17

Who was Charles I married too?

Answer 17

-Henrietta Maria (French princess)

Question 18

Favourite of James I?

Answer 18

• Duke of Buckingham; based on personal affection (possibly sexual)
• allowed dominant role in management of royal patronage; forced others to look to Parliament to pursue their interests

Question 19

Favourite of Charles I?

Answer 19

• Duke of Buckingham; (had suffered difficult relationship during James’ reign, but was certainly within Buckingham’s interests to develop his links w/ new heir)
• allowed dominant role in management of royal patronage; forced others to look to Parliament to pursue their interests
• Lord High Admiral
• responsible for foreign policy (& failures)

Question 20

Most important factor in shaping period of rule?

Answer 20

-the monarch’s personality (impacted differing responses to issues of foreign policy, finance, religion & parliament)

Question 21

How has James I court been criticised?

Answer 21

-as drunken, immoral & debauched

Question 22

Why was Charles I unprepared to be king?

Answer 22

-he became heir aged 11 (after death of his brother)

Question 23

How was James I prepared for kingship?

Answer 23

-he was already James VI Scotland since 1567