James & Charles: Character, Court & Favorites

Question 1

What was the royal court?
How was it structured?

Answer 1

Physical manifestation of kings character
Public outer chambers
Bedchamber (private apartments at centre of court)

Question 2

What was the privy council at court?

Answer 2

Body of advisors & admin
King didn’t have to follow their orders

Question 3

What was James’ character?

Answer 3

Intilectual (wrote a book on how to rule & ling James bible)
Outgoing
Could deal with people
Pragmatic / politically astute
Extravagant spender

Question 4

What did James character allow for?

Answer 4

Make I’ll-defined English political system work

Question 5

Why was James rule initially seen as stable?

Answer 5

First monarch since Edward V? to have clear line of succession & back ups

Question 6

How was James I already and experienced king?
Pros & cons

Answer 6

King of Scot’s since 1567
King since 13 months, ruled from 17
Used to Scottish politics & governance which had differences to England
Benefits of being an experienced king

Question 7

What issues arose due to the Scots?

Answer 7

Prominence of Scot’s:
In James’ bedchamber (intimate access)
Perceived favouritism of Scot’s (gift giving)
Religious conflict (Scot’s Catholic)
Failed attempt at union with Scotland in 1606

Question 8

How was James a pragmatic ruler?

Answer 8

Listened to religious groups
1610 Hampton court conference:
Response to 1603 (as j travelled to England) military petition of puritan demands
Not much achieved but shows he’s willing to listen

Open court:
Easy access to king
However, influence of Scot’s & faves (1st one = Buckingham in 1615) in bedchamber undermine this

Question 9

How was James a peaceful king?

Answer 9

Titled himself ‘Rex Pacificus’ peace king

Foreign policy:
1604 treaty of Lindon ended war with Catholic Spain

Politics

Question 10

How was james an extravagant spendthrift & why was this a problem?

Answer 10

During time of dire finances
Dutch wife, Anne also spent a lot
Spent too much on favourites
Spent gifts on Scot’s (£44,000 to 3 in 1606)
£44,000 on diamond encrusted mirror
Ante suppers: £3.300 during famine

Question 11

What we’re Masque balls?

Answer 11

Balls to dress up at
Started during liz reign
More Charles
Theory of masques being exposition of Devine right of kings
Pryne (puritan) published against as women acting sinful & ceremony seemed Catholic

Question 12

Who were James’ main faves?

Answer 12

Lennox 1579-81
Buckingham 1615-
Carr 1607-13

Question 13

What was the influence of James’ faves?

Answer 13

Men not women in still patriarchal society, influence could be significant —> immoral court
Received promotions (nepotism)
Buckingham military failures angered p but still appointed to Navy controller

Question 14

How was Buckingham a political headache?

Answer 14

Almost impeached so Charles dissolved Parliament
Allowed dominant role in patronage
Became Lord High Admiral
P blame B for Cadiz trip as a scapegoat
Assassinated 1628

Question 15

What was Buckingham’s relationship with Charles?

Answer 15

Less overtly sexual than with James
James punched them to get along in 1620
1623 Madrid trip made them closer

Question 16

What was Charles’ character?

Answer 16

Mirror opposite of James
Short (portraits posed to make him look taller)
Insecure
Shy
Second son
Speech defect
Unapproachable
Uncommunicative
Politically inflexible
Protective of prerogative

Question 17

What was Charles’ court like?

Answer 17

Echo chamber: surrounded himself with supporters
Closed off
Thought his court was a microcosm of the state (what whole state could be)

Question 18

How did Charles create financial problems?

Answer 18

Painting collection
Entered 30 years war in 1626

Question 19

What did both James and Charles firmly believe in?

Answer 19

Devine right of kings
Defensive of prerogative