James I 1603 - 25 - Prerogative vs Privilege Flashcards
James’ beliefs and character
James had a strong belief in his own Divine Right as King (the monarch’s authority derives from God and is subject to no earthly authority e.g. parliament).
James I was previously the XI of Scotland, making him an experienced monarch, however also showed he was willing to compromise and work practically with parliament.
1604 Buckingham Election
MP’s learnt that the election of Francis Goodwin (argued as an outlaw due to debts) as MP for Buckinghamshire had been overruled by the replacement of John Fortescue by James , a Privy Councillor (advisor of the King), which Parliament saw as royal interference in Parliamentary matters, and reinstated Goodwin. James believed this to be illegal and brought the issue of Prerogative vs Privilege, however compromised by dismissing both MP’s.
1604 Shirley’s Case
MP Thomas Shirley was arrested for debt, and parliament used this to assert their privilege to freedom from arrest whilst parliament was sitting and released Shirley from the Tower of London where he had been imprisoned.
1606 Form of Apology and Satisfaction
MP’s drew up document protesting against how James had handled political matters so far, however not all MP’s agreed.
1606 Unification of England and Scotland
James aimed to design a new Kingdom to have security and peace with Europe, there were worries around James creation of laws for this Kingdom that would make him absolute. Declared he was “King of Great Britain (England and Scotland), France and Ireland, with a new currency the “unite” and all ships to carry the Union flag. Caused hostility in Parliament due to dislike of the Scots and plans fell through.
1610 Great Contract
The failure of the 1st Parliament was ultimately as a result of the failure to reach a Parliamentary solution to the Crown’s financial crisis, as well as the tensions raised in the attempted unification of Kingdoms.
1614 Addled Parliament
The ‘confused Parliament’ lasted no longer than 8 weeks before James dissolved it. Issues surrounding: Financial need was still a point of conflict between Crown and Parliament, emergence of political factions e.g. Howards and James’ indecisiveness to choose a secretary of State to represent him in the Commons.
1621 Parliament
Monopolies the main source of tensions leading to factional conflict amongst courtiers. Foreign policy also an issue when James implied Parliament could comment on the King’s prerogative of foreign policy, however their anti-Spanish stance on the Spanish Match went further than expected and they produced a petition.
1621 Commons Protestation
After the parliamentary petition against the Spanish Match, James declared foreign policy his prerogative not for parliamentary discussion, which resulted in the Common’s protestation declaring their ‘undoubted birth right’ to discuss matters, however James ripped this document from the Common’s journal and dissolved Parliament.
1624 Parliament
The crucial issue remained whether England should interfere with the on-going Thirty Years War, Buckingham and Charles largely involved in foreign policy however when James converted to a more aggressive approach, Parliament was reluctant to provide the funds necessary for war. When James died in 1625, he maintained a working relationship with the Political Nation.
