Chapter 5&6: parliament Flashcards
What were the 4 ancient privileges enjoyed by MP’s?
Free access to monarch and the house of lords to convey opinions.
The right to correct mistakes or misunderstandings that may prejudice the commons.
Freedom from arrest while parliament is sitting and for 20 days after it is dissolved (except treason, felony, and breach of the peace).
Freedom of speech (within vague limits that were often disputed).
Shirley’s case: date?
1604
Shirley’s case: details and impact?
MP Thomas Shirley was arrested for debt.
It upset MP’s as it infringed on their right to freedom from arrest.
They sent the governor of fleet debtors prison to the tower of London until Shirley was released.
What was the ‘form of apology and satisfaction’ and what prompted it?
It was a document made by some MP’s protesting James’ handling of political issues.
It was bc some MP’s were upset that James refused to allow the house of commons to pass ecclesiastical reforms, there was also discontent over wardship and purveyance.
Union of Scotland and England: date?
1606
Union of Scotland and England: details and impact?
James declared:
- His title would be ‘King of GB, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith- Parliament didn’t want it to be GB as they thought the laws would be abolished and written for more power
- New currency called the ‘unite’
- All ships carry the union flag
Parliament opposed it on religious, legal, economic and political grounds- disliked the Scots- worried about James absolutist tendencies
The plan collapsed
The Buckinghamshire Election: date?
1604
The Buckinghamshire Election: details?
Court of Cancery annulled election of Francis Goodwin as MP for Buckinghamshire bc he was an outlaw for two outstanding summonses for debt
In the second election, John Fortescue (privy council) was made his replacement- he actually lost the first election
The Buckinghamshire Election: impact?
This was seen as royal interference, they heard Goodwin’s case and reinstated him
James saw this as acting illegally allowing an outlaw
James asked them to consult the house of lords for legal advice and didn’t restrict the debate
The debate widened to constitutional issues and a battle over balance of parliamentary privilege and royal prerogative
James suggested Goodwin and Fortescue should be scrapped and hold new election.
He also allowed the commons to judge some elections in return
Addled Parliament of 1614: financial need
Failure of great contract, Cecil died, crown lands sold
Decreased long term income
Financial pressure on James I- debt in 1614= £680,000
Addled Parliament of 1614: fractional conflict
Competing groups
Howard faction- pro catholic Spain
Protestant faction
Protestant faction called Parliament to attach the Howard faction
Addled Parliament of 1614: manipulation of MP’s
Controversial crown plans to make deals for Parliament support leaked
Henry Nevilles ‘certain propositions’ - goodwill by concession
Bacon- influence elections by patronage
Mp’s were fearful of absolutism
Addled Parliament of 1614: James I indecisiveness
Appointed no secretary of state to represent him in commons until the last minute
Even then it was Ralph Winwood who was incompetent
Addled Parliament of 1614: impositions
Financial issues
Taxes on everything
Monarch’s feudal right
1621 Parliament: tensions and conflicts
Tensions due to abuse of monopolies
James tried to use anti-catholic parliament to scare Spain into Spanish match by threatening war
3rd Dec 1621- MP petition criticising the Spanish match
-James stated that MP’s could not discuss foreign policy and that it was a Prerogative right
James dissolved parliament
18th Dec 1621- protest that it was Parliaments ‘undoubted birthright’ to discuss foreign policy
-James I used prerogative to rip out the document from the commons journal
Thirty years war: how it started? Why did James have reason to get involved? Why didn’t he?
Triggered by election of German catholic prince as king of Bohemia
Was originally a religious fight but became more about limiting Hapsburg’s power- catholic head of roman empire
There was a protestant rebellion and they offered the title to Frederik of the Palinate
James daughter Elizabeth married Frederik
Oct 1620 they were forced into exile
James saw himself as ‘Rex Pacificus’ the peaceful king and refused to get involved even though he had religious and dynastic reason to
Madrid trip: date?
1623
Madrid trip: details and impact?
Charles and Buckingham went to Madrid to complete the Spanish match
They received poor treatment at Spanish court as the court was anti-protestant
C and B now pro-war
Made C surfacely popular
James warned that allying with Parliament could be damaging long term bc of foreign policy, religion and finance
C married French Catholic
1624 Parliament: what did Charles and Buckingham do?
James I was ill
Charles and Buckingham were anti-Spanish now and pro-war- led parliament- undermined James authority
James pushed for more aggressive anti-Spanish stance
- MP’s were reluctant to provide funds
- Possible James did this to prove to Parliament that they didn’t really want war bc it was against financial interests
1625 parliament: what did Charles need? What did parliament give him? Who did Parliament blame?
C needed £1 million for war w/ Spain from Parliament
He made no attempt to get Parliament on his side
Parliament granted him two subsidies to prove their loyalty- not enough so he asked for more
Parliament granted him a limited grant for tonnage and poundage as they were worried about its use and impositions
Charles was very offended- saw it as an attack on his prerogative
Continued to collect T&P after
Parliament blamed Buckingham for mishandling the kings affairs
Charles I dissolved Parliament w/in 2 months
Foreign Policy Failure: Cadiz
Date? Details?
1625
Troops for German mercenary Count Mansfield raised by force
Shipped to Netherlands w/o training and limited equipment
4000/6000 died from disease etc
Failed to take Spanish port Cadiz
- more english troops died bc no food
- soldiers got drunk on wine and abandoned attack
Buckingham was Lord Admiral so took most of the blame
1626 Parliament:
Who did Buckingham remove from parliament? How? What happened to the Earl of Bristol?Why?
What did Parliament want to do to Buckingham?
Anti-calvinist William Laud preached opening sermon
-stressed obedience to the king
Some of his critics were removed (eg: Coke and Wentworth) by placing them as sheriffs- had to organise the polls but couldn’t stand for election
Buckingham removed anyone from court he thought was a threat
Parliament tried to impeach Buckingham- bc of Cadiz
- Earl of Bristol charged with treason bc he knew that Charles had bribed Spanish courtiers and offered stuff to catholics in Madrid
- He offered info on Buckingham to the house of lords
- Charles threatened Parliament and dissolved them to stop Buckinghams’ impeachment
Foreign Policy Failure: La Rochelle
Date? Why did Buckingham attack France? Impact?
1627
France entered a secret alliance with Spain
Policy reverse to protect the Hugenots from persecution
-useless bc king fo France made peace w/ hugenots
Buckingham’s troops arrived on island just of La Rochelle to attack the French
- French troops withdrew and Buckingham laid siege
- B tried direct attack but the ladders were too short
Only 2989/7833 soldiers returned inc John Felton
Buckinghams attack started war with Spain and France
-no funds so Charles had to call parliament again
Five Knights Case: date?
1627
