Charles 1625-29

Question 1

Why was Buckingham such a problem? (6 points)

Answer 1

1. Buckingham led a naval attack on Cadiz in 1625 despite never having had naval training and being seasick. It failed miserably due to soldiers getting drunk on local wine and bad leadership
2. The 1625 Parliament was dissolved for criticising Buckingham
3. The 1626 Parliament was dissolved for trying to impeach Buckingham
4. Buckingham led an expedition to La Rochelle in 1627, which failed due to his poor leadership
5. Buckingham’s murder in 1628 by an unpaid La Rochelle soldier left Charles isolated, so he relied more on himself and Henrietta Maria
6. No one except Charles liked Buckingham

Question 2

Why was Henrietta Maria a problem? (3 points)

Answer 2

1. She was Catholic, which was already bad enough
2. She could influence Charles and his heirs and convert them to Catholicism
3. After Buckingham’s death, Charles relied more and more on her advice and, coming from an absolute monarchy, she helped persuade him to embark on Personal Rule

Question 3

Why was war with Spain a problem? (4 points)

Answer 3

1. It put a severe drain on Charles’ finances
2. He had lost Parliament’s backing after being very vague about his attack strategy
3. In trying to gain glory for himself and Buckingham, he tried a naval attack on Cadiz, as Elizabeth and Drake had done almost half a century before, but this was a disaster, as the ships were poorly equipped
4. France soon joined Spain in the war against England, which was a severe blow to Charles

Question 4

What were Charles’ financial problems in 1625?

Answer 4

1. The 1625 Parliament gave him 2 subsidies, or £140,000, but refused to give him more without having their grievances heard
2. Parliament only gave Charles 1 year of tunnage and poundage, whereas monarchs were usually given a lifetime’s worth, as they did not trust him to spend the money correctly and they wanted to keep him financially dependent

Question 5

What did Charles do between the 1626 and 1628 Parliament to raise money?

Answer 5

Charles raised forced loans which raised £240,000

He also continued to collect customs duties which was illegal

Question 6

When and what was the Five Knights’ Case?

Answer 6

1627
Five knights appealed against arbitrary imprisonment, but they lost the case, meaning Charles could imprison anyone he wanted unjustly

Question 7

When and what was the Petition of Right?

Answer 7

1628
Demanded the following:
1. That Charles cease to collect illegal taxes
2. That Charles renounce his right to arbitrary imprisonment
3. That the billeting of troops in private houses be stopped, as well as martial law
4. That Charles’ prerogative be limited somewhat to allow Parliament to have a say in matters of State

Question 8

What happened when Charles dissolved the Parliament?

Answer 8

The MPs held the Speaker down in his chair and passed the ‘Three Resolutions’ which condemned the illegal taxes