Charles: Parliament and Finance Flashcards
Parliament of 1625
Charles inherited a debt of £1 million from James. Said he needed £1 million annually for his foreign policy aims (war)
Parliament granted just two subsidies, insufficient.
Tonnage and Poundage for just one year even though it is normally granted for life.
Charles was offended, collected T&P after anyway.
Parliament dissolved in 2 months.
Foreign Policy: Cadiz
1625: Charles involved in Thirty Years’ War against Spain.
1)Shipped 6000 untrained troops without sufficient equipment, 4000 died of disease and starvation.
2) Fleet failed to take Cadiz, Buckingham, Lord Admiral, blamed
Caused financial issues
Parliament of 1626
William Laud preached opening sermon: tension as he preached obedience to King.
Buckingham removed anyone from court he thought was a threat
Parliament tried to impeach Buckingham due to Cadiz
Charles threatened Parliament and dissolved them to stop Buckingham’s impeachment
Foreign Policy: La Rochelle
1627: France entered a secret alliance with Spain.
Buckingham’s troops arrived on island just of La Rochelle to attack the French
French troops withdrew and Buckingham laid siege, tried direct attack but failed as ladders were too short.
Only 2989/7833 soldiers returned
Buckingham’s attack started war with Spain and France
No funds so Charles had to call parliament again
Forced Loan
1626: Charles need war money. Forced people to “loan” him money.
1627: 76 people were imprisoned for refusing to pay the forced loan.
Only got 70% of what was expected
Alienated his subjects and caused more tension with parliament., who condemned it as illegal in Parliament.
Five Knight’s Case
Nov 1627: 5 knights, imprisoned for not paying forced loan, claimed they had to be tried or released
Charles took them to trial and the judgement upheld Charles prerogative right to imprison w/o trial for forced loan only.
Charles falsified records that this was a general prerogative right
Petition of Right
Accepted 7th June 1628
4 main points:
1)Parliament had to consent to taxation
2)Only imprisonment w/ just cause
3)Imposition of billeting illegal
4)Imposition of martial law illegal
Charles accepted as he needed funds and was forced to.
No royal assent, so not the law, this caused him to be distrusted.
Buckingham’s Assassination
23rd August 1628
Assassinated by John Felton, who was hanged.
Parliament and public celebrated whilst Charles publicly mourned and blamed Parliament for it.
Charles relied more on Catholic Henrietta Maria, problem.
Three Resolutions
1629 - Sir John Eliot:
Condemned:
1)Promotion of innovation in religion, popery or arminianism
2)Collection of T&P w/o parliamentary consent
3)Voluntary payment of T&P duties
