Finance Flashcards
What was the issue with Popish soap?
Popish Soap – Lord Treasurer Portland had a near-monopoly on Popish soap and after his death, Laud fought with Cottingon over the company, bringing £30,000 to crown by 1630s annually. Charles put down merchants.
What was the issue with Fenland Drainage?
Lord Bedford, Sir Anthony Thomas, and a clique of minor court officials drained fenland portions to reap acres, 24,000 acres of East and West taken. Charles claimed this was for the public’s good but the Great Fen increased Charles’ share from 12,000 to 57,000 acres. Peasants protested. Charles wanted to achieve best for people.
What was the Commission for Defective Titles, 1630?
1630 Commission for Defective Titles, investigated rent of Crown tenants and increased it if they couldn’t find an excuse not to pay more, fines for encroachment on royal forest.
What was forest research?
1634 – Judicial enquiry to investigate encroachment by farmers/landowners on royal forests. Earl of Salisbury compounded when fined with £20,000 refusing to pay.
When was the Second Commission for Defective Titles issued?
1635 Second Commission for Defective Titles – Men owning freehold land worth £40 a year to take a knighthood. In 1630 a commission made to force men to comply or fine, raising £165,000 by 1635. Men owning land from the King were invited very last minute and it was an unreasonable ancient law.
How did revenue from the Court of Wards and impositions change?
Court of Wards and liveries made £54,000 in 1631-5 and £73,000 between 1636-41.
New Impositions – Charles issued right to tonnage and poundage in 1630 and between 1631-5 raised £53,000 rising to £120,000 by 1636-41.
How was law and order used to bring in revenue?
Justice – Fines and court fees increased due to proclamation against building around London.
Fines imposed on those using enclosures but fences not taken down to defend the victims, commissioners would return in a few months to fine again. City of London fined £70,000 by Star Chamber as it failed to comply with contract for Derry plantation. Payment largely reduced but left a sour taste.
What did Charles do about monopolies?
Monopolies – sale of monopolies exploited, licence to East India Company revoked and sold to rival Sir William Courten.
What was Ship Money?
Requested in 1634 due to rise of Dutch and French and to overcome North African pirates. Expanded beyond seaboard counties in 1635 and raised 4 subsidies per year until 1639. Privy council register full of complaints of non-payment but Ship Money genuinely went towards construction of ships.
Why was the system of Ship Money collection good?
Not levied in the Pound but a set quota for counties or cities and boroughs within, with Sheriffs provided with amount to raise and responsible to decide how to raise it, by a rate in the pound or otherwise. Long Parl used this method even though in 1640 it was banned,
How did life for Charles and the Household change?
Impositions evolved, with new Impositions being issued followed by new ‘New Impositions,’ by the 1630s. The Crown income exceeded inflation and was growing with Charles extending his art collection and recovering jewels. Limited economy on the Navy, Ordnance Office, forts, castles, and garrisons and the royal Household which didn’t appreciate being received by accounting officials with vested interest.
