Chapter Five | James I's Relations With Parliament

Question 1

When was James’ first Parliament in session?

Answer 1

1604-11

Question 2

What was the Buckinghamshire election?

Answer 2

In 1604, James believed Commons were acting illegally by allowing outlaw Francis Goodwin to sit as MP for Buckinghamshire

Question 3

Why was the Buckinghamshire election significant?

Answer 3

Became issue of constitutional dispute between parl priv & prerogative when James decided all election disputes should be settled by his Court of Chancery - but, sought compromise in return for acceptance & acknowledged parl’s claim to judge some election returns

Question 4

What was Shirley’s case?

Answer 4

MP Thomas Shirley arrested for debt, upsetting MPs keen to establish parliamentary privilege of freedom from arrest while Parliament was in session

Question 5

Why was Shirley’s case significant?

Answer 5

Parl sent governor of the Fleet Debater’s prison to ToL until Shirley was released - emphasising dispute between parl priv & prerogative

Question 6

What document did Parliament draw up in 1604?

Answer 6

‘The Form of Apology and Satisfaction’, protesting king’s handling of recent political issues

Question 7

Why was ‘The Form of Apology and Satisfaction’ significant?

Answer 7

Although never passed by Commons, so not formally presented to James, it claimed he was ignorant of the Commons’ “privileges and liberties” - emphasising dispute between parl priv & prerogative

Question 8

When did James propose his plans for the union of Scotland and England?

Answer 8

1606

Question 9

Why did James I’s plans for the union of Scotland and England collapse?

Answer 9

Parliamentary opposition - as ‘source of the law’, the king could rewrite laws of newly formed kingdom, giving himself more scope to exercise absolute authority

Question 10

Why was James’ first Parliament dissolved?

Answer 10

Failure to reach parliamentary solution to crown’s financial difficulties

Question 11

What was James 1614 Parliament nicknamed, and why?

Answer 11

Addled (confused) - dissolved after no longer than 8 weeks

Question 12

What were the financial reasons for the dissolution of the addled Parliament?

Answer 12

James’ ability to levy impositions remained a conflict - Commons united in belief that they threatened property law and that over impositions “the liberty of the kingdom is in question”

Question 13

What were the political reasons for the dissolution of the addled Parliament?

Answer 13

Emergence of competing groups in politics caused political disfunction (E.g. Howard faction who supported Catholic Spain & Protestant faction)

Question 14

For what reason did James dissolve the addled Parliament of 1614, outside of finance and politics?

Answer 14

Crown’s plans to ensure parliamentary support for policies leaked (Bacon to attempt to influence elections through patronage) - made MPs fearful of absolutism

Question 15

What was a monopoly?

Answer 15

Grant of protected right to pursue a form/method of trade/industry, in exchange for cash payment to crown

Question 16

Which parliamentarians informed much of the vitriol surrounding popular political discourse about the abuse of monopolies?

Answer 16

Buckingham & Bacon was impeached (for involvement in certifying controversial patents for licensing of silver & gold thread)

Question 17

What does the dispute surrounding monopolies indicate about James’ 1621 Parliament?

Answer 17

Politics of this period more about factional infighting (underlying tensions surface again w/ Spanish match & attacks on Buckingham) than Crown-Parl split

Question 18

Why was Parliament not allowed to discuss matters of foreign policy?

Answer 18

Part of king’s prerogative

Question 19

Why did foreign policy become a parliamentary issue during the 1621 parliament?

Answer 19

Knowing they would voice anti-Spanish sentiment & call for war, James allowed MPs to discuss Spanish Match - but backfired after petition on 3 Dec criticising match

Question 20

What provoked the dissolution of James’ 1621 parliament?

Answer 20

Commons’ protestation on 18 Dec, declaring Parl’s “undoubted birthright to discuss foreign policy”

Question 21

Why was James’ approach to the Thirty Years War following Elizabeth’s exile significant?

Answer 21

Following exile of Prince Frederick & daughter Elizabeth in Oct 1620, James negotiated for peace despite pressure from Parl to join war - unpopular due to widespread Catholicism & religion became root of opposition to James in 1621 Parl

Question 22

What was the main subject of contention during James’ 1624 Parliament?

Answer 22

Foreign policy

Question 23

Why did the Anglo-Spanish war begin?

Answer 23

Charles & Buckingham converted to Anti-Spanish policy after failed visit to Madrid

Question 24

Why was finance a significant factor in James’ 1624 Parliament?

Answer 24

MPs reluctant to fund James’ push for more aggressive anti-Spanish policy (possible James only appeared converted to push MPs to realise war against their financial interests)