James, parliament and finance Flashcards
What were some of the good things James inherited from Elizabeth?
A stable form of government.
No succession anxiety.
no threat of war with Scotland or Spain.
Still needed a good relationship w parliament
What was the monarch expected to do during peace time?
‘live of his own’ aka finance parliament and to maintains his household.
What were the main reasons for insolvency?
Years of inflation and the sale of crown lands to finance war with Spain (Lizzie sold £800,000 worth) ensured that royal income was insufficient to meet the expenses of government.
Lizzie had failed to update tax assessments in line with inflation, so James had inherited a tax system that was entirely unfit for purpose-allowed gentry access to their own liability to pay tax.
these were the systemic reasons for insolvency
Why did Lizzie not reform?
How bad was James’ extravagance?
