LP: Early Actions and Growing Divisions Flashcards
Why was the LP called?
It was designed to fund a war against the Scots and convened in Nov 1640
What were the grievances of MPs?
Give 2 points
Financial abuses and church reform during the PR
What early attempts at cooperation were made?
Earl of Bedford sought compromise - included abolition of most confrontational aspects of Charles’ reign, a return to a broad church and a separate financial settlement for Charles
Was refused by Charles and Bedford died in May 1641 - no further progress was made
What concessions did Charles initially allow?
Name 4
Jan 1641 appoint 7 plmt to PC and pledged to end religious reform, abolish excessive taxes and revamp the judicial system
What caused the MPs to attack Wentworth?
Give 2 points
He had become Charles’ principal advisor and advocated an attack to renew war with the Scots
As they could not risk undermining the royal prerogative by challenging Charles they targeted Wentworth
How was Wentworth impeached?
Proceedings began in Nov 1640 in the hope he would be replaced by a plmt approved minister - infringing on royal prerogative
Wentworth’s capable legal defense forced the use of a Bill of Attainder at Mar 1641 trial - archaic device unused since 1483
What ultimatum did the Scots give over Wentworth’s fate?
Though some MPs resisted the impeachment, the Scots demanded in Feb 1641 that peace would only be achievable by the abolition of episcopacy and Wentworth’s death - fate was set with the alliance between the plmt radicals and the Scots
What made the MPs wary that Charles might use the army against them?
Apr 1641 Charles ordered officers to return to their commands in the northern army
What was the Army Plot?
Royal officers had attempted to seize the tower of London, where Wentworth was being held, to free him and dissolve plmt - implicated Charles though was not involved
Why did the Bill of Attainder eventually pass?
Army Plot result in a 204-59 passage - though half of the MPs did not vote - early example of the divisions the radicals were forging
Wentworth was executed on 12th May 1641
What were the first actions LP took to protect their interests?
Give 2 points
Passed a bill stating they could not be dissolved without their consent
Introduced the Protestation Oath - reflected the belief that Catholicism and absolutism were linked
Charles was forced to give royal assent
Which of Charles’ ministers and advisors were impeached by the LP?
Wentworth, Laud, Bishop Wren and Lord Chancellor Finch
How did Wentworth’s execution worsen relations between plmt and Charles?
It made Charles less likely to negotiate and trust plmt - saw his death as a result of his capitulations to plmt and resolved to not permit such encroachments on his prerogative again
What pressure did the London mob begin to exercise over Charles?
Give 2 points
MPs took advantage of the crowd to pressurise political opponents - came out to defend the tower after Army Plot was revealed
Mob also made Charles fear for his life and strained his relationship with plmt
What was the Root and Branch Petition?
Demanded an end to episcopacy and was spearheaded by Puritans
Signed by 15,000 Londoners in Dec 1640 and debated in plmt in Feb 1641
How did the Commons view the Root and Branch Petition?
Give 3 viewpoints and where they agreed
Pym and other radicals were supportive
Many MPs feared it would upset the ‘Great Chain of Being’
Others like Hyde saw Charles as the figurehead of the CofE
Yet they all concurred that episcopal power should be curtailed - bill was sent to Lords in Mar 1641 to exclude the Lords Spiritual but was rejected in June
What was an example of the influence of the London mob?
RB Petition
Smith called it the predetermining factor of political allegiance in the CW
How was Pym’s faction referred to?
‘Pym’s Junto’ - showed their power and dominance, he was even called ‘King Pym’ at times
What financial reform did the LP attempt?
Kishlansky: MPs embarked on ‘a systematic campaign to strip away royal revenues’
Abolished ship money and impositions, encroaching on the prerogative and impoverishing Charles to the extent that plmt had to vote an allowance for him
How did plmt try to prevent another PR?
They reaffirmed the Triennial Act in Feb 1641 - yet this also infringed upon Charles’ prerogative
What political aspects of the PR were attacked?
MPs abolished the High Commission and Star Chamber courts
How did the growing divisions in plmt emerge?
Give 2 points
MPs could not agree over fundamental issues such as religion, the prevention of a PR and the use of a Bill of Attainder
Growing radicalism fostered by Pym led to moderates fearing an end to the standing social order
Into what faction did the moderates develop?
Constitutional royalists
What were the 10 Propositions?
June 1641
Unrealistic and heavily encroached on royal privilege, including private life - plmt consent to PC appointments, control of the Queen’s entourage, religious education of the royal children - all Charles would never concede and alienated moderate MPs
