History English Rev 02 and 03 Flashcards
What was Charles’ Relationship like with Buckingham
By 1620 he was the king’s constant companion and closest advisor, enjoying control of all royal patronage.
When James died Buckingham moved in as Charles’ closest adviser
Buckingham used his influence to enrich his family It is likely that he and James were in a homosexual relationship
Buckingham persuaded Charles to go to war
Exerted a great deal of influence over both James and Charles up to his death in 1628
Charles’s attitude to divine right
Like James he believed in the divine right but unlike James felt that it should be practiced, took the idea of divine right much more literally
Parliament’s rights and privileges were subject to the will of the monarch
Led to a fear of Absolutism
Charles’ attitude to criticism
Charles found it difficult to accept criticism - he found it difficult to take a detached view of relationships with his counsellors
Took refuge in the appearance of certainty
Took refuge in formality and ceremony
Equated criticism with malice and treason
Relied heavily on those he could trust – Buckingham and Henrietta Maria
Examples of how Charles’ hatred of criticism harmed his reign
Two of James’ most capable ministers, Archbishop Abbott and Lord Keeper Williams found it almost impossible to function under the new king due to his animosity. Charles deprived himself of worldly-wise advice
How did Charles’ attitude to criticism benefit him
His strong sense of loyalty helped to limit the extent of faction fighting in court for example in 1626 when the King stood by the Duke of Buckingham in spite of concerted efforts to topple him, providing leading opponents the choice to forfeit their court office or abandon their campaign, where most chose the latter.
Charles’ attitude to communication
A poor public speaker his speeches were short and brooked no
argument - perhaps due to his stammer
He was seen as unapproachable
Intentions and actions were often left unexplained leaving others to interpret
Could be devious and dishonest in dealing with people
What is Arminianism
Accepted Protestant principles that people are saved through Scripture, Faith and Grace of God yet abandoned ideas of calvinism and put forward the idea that people could reject god. A little problematic as it is sympathetic of catholicism
When did Charles and Maria’s relationship first begin
Following failure of the Spanish Match a pro-French policy was developed
In 1624 Charles was engaged to Henrietta Maria and married her in 1625
Why did Henrietta Maria’s religion cause suspicion and make her unpopular?
She was very passionate about catholicism and therefore had the ability to wield open political power and catholic ideologies through the King - devout catholic
Henrietta had a strong impetus to promote catholicism in England as the pope himself had asked her to advocate the religion in her new kingdom
Henrietta wanted to be Esther, freeing her people through her influence
How did Henrietta Maria attempt to implement Catholicism in England
On 8 December 1635 Maria opened a new chapel, the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary - represented the queen’s terror and danger to protestantism
After Laud stridently issued a proclamation against those resorting to Mass the queen belligerent responded by holding a special midnight mass for all converts.
How did Charles’ and Maria’s relationship shift after George Villiers death
- Henrietta Maria hated Buckingham and detested his power over husband
When George Villiers died Charles and Maria’s marriage flourished and became close and loving after sharing interests in art and architecture
What was the aristocracy
Eldest member of the family sat in the House of Lords
Traditionally attended Court, advised kings and commanded armies
What is the gentry
Vital to the running of the country outside of London as Justices of the Peace and SheriffsIn theory old families with a coat of arms, but not a hereditary title
How were women perceived in 17th Century England
Women were known as the
Legally women were second class citizens:
No vote
In theory could not inherit or own land
Arranged marriages in the upper class
How did Parliament view the divine right
Parliament were protestant so did not believe in hierarchy therefore don’t believe in the divine right as they don’t believe the king is superior to the people. They believed one should be able to challenge the king
The King’s view on the royal prerogative
He believed that as the monarch was head of the church he was able to appoint Bishops and decide on the way the church of England held it’s ceremonies and its doctrines,
Parliament’s view on royal prerogatives
Believed that royal proclamations should not override common law as they believed the king does not have the right to decide what matters are discussed
King’s view on royal finances
The King often disagreed with parliament about the way they collect tax
Parliament’s view on royal finances
Parliament believed that they ha the right to deal with taxes and believed he king should live off his own money
Parliaments view on parliament privilege
Parliament saw their privileges as a way to control and almost out way the king’s power
What the two principal ways in which the royal court carried out it’s function
- By making available royal patronage both in the concrete shape of grants of offices and the less tangible form of royal support and influence
- By acting as a forum for political debate
Reasons that would back up the argument that Buckingham had influence over Charles
Villiers’ influence extended beyond the king’s favour; he played a significant role in political and military affairs, including the negotiation of royal marriages and leading military expeditions.
Reasons that would challenge the argument that Buckingham had influence of Charles
Members of the political nation were accustomed to obey orders and the monarch still remained at the head of the church
Why did tensions between Charles and his parliament increase
- House of commons demanded the right to express itself on matters hitherto had been regarded as the concern souly of the monarch
- Parliament saw important the establishment of special parliament privileges
- The house of commons aimed to free itself from royal control and to claim the right to be consulted in the initiation of government policy
- Charles was resistant to parliament’s increasing control
Reasons as to why parliamentary tensions may not increased under Charles
- Parliament played an active role under Richard II and Henry IV, claiming to control the crown’s finances and ministers
- The Crown relied on parliament to gauge opinion in the local communities as they acted as a ‘point of contact’ to the country
- No evidence that Charles wanted to rule permanently without parliament
How many times did Charles dismiss parliament and when
Charles dismissed parliament three times between 1625-29 and did not recall it for eleven years after 1629 - difficult to argue that this is temporary
Difference between James’ relationship to Buckingham compared to Charles’
James never became to reliant on Buckingham politically as he was too certain on his own judgement to wish to abdicate his authority there was a huge shift in Charles’ court however as he relied hugely on Buckingham’s political advisor
How did court work after Buckingham’s assassination
Court was the scene of faction fighting as every politician strived to become the King’s favourite.
May have been a good thing as it allowed for differing beliefs to be heard - acted as a forum for political debater
Bad thing as it threatened the stability of court - shown at the end of Elizabeth’s reign in the struggle between Cecil and Essex
When was Buckingham assasinated
August 1628