Chapter 10 Flashcards
The Army Plot
- News emerged 19 April 1641 that Charles had ordered all army officers to return to their commands with the English Army in the north
- Led to Protestation Oath on 6 May
- The Act against the dissolution of Parliament without its own consent passed 10 May
- Trial of Strafford intensified
The Protestation Oath
- Charles gave royal assent in July
- In 1642 scope extended to all adult males
The Grand Remonstance
- Introduced in November by Pym
- Pym and Hampden through the Recess Committee
- Summarised all Parliament’s grievances of Charles’ reign
- 204 separate points of objection
- Limiting the King’s power & reform of CoE
- Passed by 159 - 148
What did Clarendon say about Pym
he had “a very appropiate and serious way of expressing himself, with a wonderful vocabularly, straightforward and respectful and that he understood the temper of affections of the kingdom as well as any man.”
What does John Morrill say about Pym
- challenged the extent to which Pym’s speechmaking was effective,
- attributed his political success to skill behind the scene rather than in set-piece speeches
What did Conrad Russell say about Pym
- highlighted his lack of humour and poor people skills
Pym’s aims
- not inherently revolutionary
- Was active in 1620s Parliaments in finance
- Led 1626 attempted impeachment of Buckingham
- Where Pym differed from Clarendon, and many of his own colleagues, was recognising Charles would not keep commitments he felt had been forced from him.
- However, Pym was hampered by the fact Charles was essential to a stable government and society
- feared Chalres was using thorough to undermine the English legal system
- did not want seperate Church, simply felt that Laudianism had lead CoE estray; restore it to early James I reign
- Insisted that any political settlement with King must contain a religious settlement
John Pym (1584 – 1643)
- MP for Tavistock, a seat controlled by Earl of Bedford
- Lawyer
Arguments for John Pym simply administering Parliament’s will:
- Representative Role: Pym was influential but not the sole decision-maker; Parliament’s actions were collective.
- Limited Autonomy: Pym’s actions were constrained by other members, political factions, and external pressures.
- External Influences: Pym had to respond to public opinion, the king’s actions, and looming civil war, limiting his independent influence.
- Committee System: Decisions were made collectively through committees, where Pym played a significant role but couldn’t impose his will alone.
Arguments for John Pym actively shaping Parliament’s will:
- Leadership Role: Pym was a recognized leader who actively shaped debates, agendas, and decisions through his skills and strategic thinking.
- Strategic Initiatives: Pym initiated key actions like impeachments and crucial legislation, demonstrating proactive leadership.
- Coalition Building: Pym built coalitions and rallied support for common goals, exerting significant influence within Parliament.
- Symbol of Opposition: Pym’s leadership made him a symbol of resistance against royal absolutism, galvanizing support for Parliament’s cause.
Clarendon’s History of the Great Rebellion and Civil Wars in England 1674: Who was regarded as the most experienced man in Parliament?
“Mr Pym was looked upon as the man of greatest experience in Parliament…but known to be inclined to the puritan party”
Clarendon’s History of the Great Rebellion and Civil Wars in England 1674: What was the Earl of Bedford’s intention regarding his influence at court?
“The Earl of Bedford… intended to make himself and his friends great at court, not at all to lessen the court itself.”
Clarendon’s History of the Great Rebellion and Civil Wars in England 1674: What was the Lord Viscount Say’s position in Parliament?
“The Lord Viscount Say…had always great credit and authority in parliament…”
Clarendon’s History of the Great Rebellion and Civil Wars in England 1674: What role did the Lord Viscount Say play in influencing events against the government?
“…he was in truth the pilot that steered all those vessels which were freighted with sedition to destroy the government.”
