James' Character, Court and Favourites (S1.2) Flashcards
What were the good elements of character of James I?
- Intellectual, outgoing; enjoyed debate; communicator, pragmatic, scholar
> Sound judgement, compromising when necessary
> Warm, informal, affectionate; a good father
How did James I view the monarchy?
- Firm believer in the Divine Right of Kings
> Saw himself as the ‘peacemaker king’ (Rex Pacificus)
> Sought compromise and negotiation with the Political Nation
What was the Privy Council?
King’s selected advisers, who met in private to shape policy and oversee implementation.
What was the Bedchamber, and the Gentleman of the Bedchamber?
Monarch’s priving living space
> Gentleman of the Bedchamber were those who waited for him in their rooms and took to their duties (i.e. companionship); this led to great political influence, like for George VIlliers
What was a faction?
A faction was a competing group in politics.
What was patronage?
Patronage worked through the exchange of favors, support, and resources; ultimate source was at Court, and from the monarch.
What was James’ court like?
Open and lively
> James’ intellectual interests were emphasised
In what ways was James’ court criticised?
- Drunken, immoral and debauched
- Concerned at the amount of power that certain Scots were wielding
In what ways was James’ criticised?
- Unhygienic, drunken, lazy; financially extravagant, impatient
> “wisest fool in Christendom”
> lectured all on the Divine Right and royal prerogative
Who was James’ first favourite, and why did they fall out of favour?
Robert Carr
> Became Gentleman of the Bedchamber
> Fell out of favour after the 1616 ‘Overbury’ scandal; paved the way for George Villiers to fill
Who was George Villiers, and what was their relationships with James and Charles?
- Came to prominence in 1616 (with the fall of Robert Carr)
> Relationship with James was based on personal affection
> Also developed links with Charles’ (less seuxal, but favourtism continued)
How did factions gain influence?
Factions gain influence by their members having access to the King.
> Certain factions gain excessive influence because they have James’ favourites in them, and this causes problems.
What was the problem with how factions gained influence?
The King needed to keep factions competing with each other, rather than against him.
> He therefore needed to balance them: give competing factions power at different times to encourage their competition with each other.
How did the Court allow the monarch to secure the allegiance and cooperation of the landlords?
The King distributed patronage to various people in the political nation. What this means, in a simplified sense, is that the King gave people gifts in return for their support.
How did the monarch need to organise the Court so the system of patronage works?
Patronage needs to be distributed evenly.
> The only way for the system to work is for all of the landlords to get a share in it.
> If many landlords are excluded, getting no patronage, then the King won’t secure their cooperation and support.
