Charles I: Court and Character Flashcards
Sharpe on Charles’ character:
Charles ‘was in many respects a complete contrast to his father’
What were heavy impacts on his childhood?
Give 2 examples
Born with rickets and a speech defect - became determined and stubborn
Deaths of mother and brother and departure of sister made him insular and uncommunicative
How did Charles differ in his rule to James?
Intransigence meant he lacked the political flexibility of James - often struggled to deal with ambiguity of political system so constantly sought to utilise his prerogative
How was Charles’ view of plmt formed?
He had attended session of Lords and PC in 1621 and 24 - saw it impeach Bacon, attack Buckingham, infringe on his father’s prerogatives and debate his own marriage prospects
How was Charles’ court ordered?
Who was it composed of?
Charles was disgusted by the vulgarity of his father’s court - a pig was once let loose in the palace, and saw his court as a model for the rest of the country
Constituted his supporters and dominated by Catholics and Arminians - created the impression of being isolated from the country and raised worries over absolutism
What court activities particularly antagonised Puritans?
The court masques were vehemently opposed for their ceremonial nature and the role women played in them
How did Charles personally come to gain the impression of an absolutist monarch?
His extensive art collection, which included many portraits by Van Dyck, likened him to the continental monarchs
How did Charles’ relationship with Buckingham develop to the detriment of his relations with plmt?
Although initially resentful of Buckingham, after the Spanish Match - which turned him vehemently against Spain, he became a favourite, a gentleman of the bedchamber, and took a dominant role in the distribution of royal patronage.
Buckingham nepotistically controlled appointments, and forced those in court who wanted to become involved in governance to turn to plmt
