Charles I: Causes & Triggers of the Civil War Flashcards
What were Charles I’s views on Power and Parliament?
Believed in the divine right of kings (his power came from god) and that he was above everyone
Argued with Parliament, refused their suggestions and often dissolved them
What were Charles’ views on his advisors?
Followed the Duke of Buckingham’s advice over everyone else (he led two failed wars against France and Spain, organised his marriage)
Married Henrietta Maria in 1625, a French Catholic princess. At the time, the enemy and Catholics were hated in England
What were Charles’ religious policies?
William Laud was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1633 and he and Charles made changes to the church such as adding stained glass and crosses
What were the consequences of Charles’ religious policies?
Laud and Charles were accused of changing England back to being Catholic
The new prayer book in Scotland made the Scots angry. They rebelled and attacked the North of England in 1639, forcing Charles to pay them £850 per day
Explain Charles’ financial policies
He often used illegal taxes as a way to collect money, due to Parliament not paying him, such as Customs Duties, Ship Money and Coat and Conduct money
Explain the tax, Customs Duties
A tax on goods brought into England. Parliament agreed to pay these for a year instead of for life
Explain the tax, Ship Money
A medieval tax paid by costal counties to support the navy, but Charles started to tax inland counties. By 1639, only 20% was being collected
Explain the tax, Coat and Conduct money
Another medieval tax to provide uniform for the navy, thought very few people paid
What was the most significant in starting the civil war and why (Politics and Power, Religion or Finance)
Religion. Charles and Laud made many changes to the church, that resembled those of a Catholic Church
Puritans hated catholics, accusing Charles of trying to make England Catholic. The Scot’s rebelled against the changes and invaded the North in 1639, resulting in Charles having to pay them £850 per day to not attack England
What were the key events of 1640?
Charles summoned Parliament. They made many demands in return for taxation. Charles agreed to all of them, except from reversing the changes in church. Moderate MPs were happy, but Puritan MPs were angry
What were the key events of 1641?
Parliament demanded a long list of more demands - the Grand Remonstrance - that were so extreme, the MPs were divided. When the commons voted to approve the Remonstrance, it only just passed. Charles refused the demands
What were the key events of 1642? (Arresting five MPs)
Charles was convinced that five MPs were leading an opposition against him and plotting to put the queen on trial for being involved in a Catholic plot
Charles entered the House of Commons, but the MPs had been warned and had already escaped. Many saw his behaviour as an attack on Parliament
What were the key events of 1642? (The argument over the army)
In 1641, a Catholic rebellion had broke out in Ireland. Charles and Parliament agreed that an army should be raised, but couldn’t agree on who it should be lead by.
Parliament passed a bill stating that they should lead the army, but Charles refused to sign it. Parliament declared that they could act independently of the king and took control of the army
What were the key events of 1642? (3rd set of demands)
Parliament made a third set of demands, the Nineteen Propositions. Moderate MPs felt that these were a step too far so went to join Charles in the North
Charles rejected the demands, stating that they would make him a “mere phantom of a king.”
