James and Charles as rulers

Question 1

What was James’ nature as a ruler?

Answer 1

He was very good at leadership, had good communication skills and was pragmatic.

Question 2

What were the dates of James’ reign?

Answer 2

1603 - 1625

Question 3

What were the dates of Charles’ reign?

Answer 3

1625 - 1649

Question 4

Describe James I’s spending

Answer 4

Displayed financial extravagance

• eg. Bought a Looking glass (1604) = covered in diamonds and precious stones

Question 5

Why was there conflict in James I’s court? (2)

Answer 5

Dominance of Scots of Bedchamber (more personal contact w/ king meant more influence)
first English man appointed to bedchamber = George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham (King had a dangerous dependence on Buckingham)

Question 6

How did James I run his court? (6)

Answer 6

ran an effective government (political and religious stability)
good judgement
good at leadership
well liked
open court
financially fluid, gave lots of gifts and petitions

Question 7

How did Charles I differ from James as a leader?

Answer 7

Closed court
Masques as an example of the kind of court he ran
shy
uncommunicative
inferiority complex
insecure
couldn’t take criticism
defensive of prerogative
lacked self-confidence

Question 8

What name did James give himself as king?

Answer 8

Rex Pacificus (‘king of peace’)

Question 9

How did Charles I view his court?

Answer 9

A microcosm of the state = showed what could be achieved in the country

Question 10

What was the biggest issue with Charles I’s court?

Answer 10

Charles imposed a strict order and only included his supporters in court = made it seem isolated from rest of the country (outside had no point of contact with political process)

Question 11

What was the main form of entertainment in Charles I’s court?
Who opposed this?

Answer 11

Court Masques - elaborately costumed and involved dancing
(Supposed to reflect the order the king was bringing to the country) opposed by Puritans

Question 12

Who was a key favourite of both James and Charles?

Answer 12

George Villiers / Duke of Buckingham

Question 13

When was Daemonologie written?

Answer 13

1597

Question 14

What contributed to James’ lifelong fear of threats to his throne?

Answer 14

8 months after his birth- his father Lord Darnley was murdered
His mother’s execution
Catholic plots under Elizabeth

Question 15

What kind of an education did James have?

Answer 15

He had a thorough education with tutors who taught him some level of Presbyterian doctrine

Question 16

When was The True Law of Free Monarchies written?

Answer 16

1598

Question 17

What were the key points from The True Law of Free Monarchies

Answer 17

• God places Kings on the throne and so monarchs should be allowed unrestrained and absolute power
• Kings are able to act above the law and should not be subject to normal judicial procedures
• Parliament is something which serves the King when required, not a core element of the political system

Question 18

How was Charles belief in the Divine Right confirmed with his artistic commission?

Answer 18

Charles belief in the Divine Right was reinforced when he commissioned the Dutch artist Peter Paul Rubens to paint to the ceiling of his banqueting house @ the Palace of Whitehall -> it depicts James I ascending into heaven while commanding the infant Charles to the throne