Parliament 1640 Flashcards
What were Short Parliament grievances 1640?
Short Parliament, 3 April - 5 May 1640.
Charles hadn’t called Parliament sooner, didn’t during war, no intention to improve relationship. Parliament had issues for 11 years over religion, ship money. Elections garnered interest. Lord Keeper Finch, speaker of 1629, opened Parliament claiming Charles only wanted funding but Parliament had grievance over religion and property violation.
What ended the Short Parliament and how did religious tensions rise?
Charles promised no ship money for 12 subsidies. Shut Parliament down in 3 weeks as it couldn’t make decisions quickly. Crown appeared autocratic with London demonstrations. In 1640 canons passed by Convocation committing that doctrine of government wouldn’t alter government by bishops, deans etc. ‘etc’ interpreted as pope. Etcetera oath was threat that Protestant Church would be destroyed by Popists.
What were key events of Second Bishops War?
Many untrained troops threatened to mutiny and 2 members were killed on grounds they were Catholics. In August 1640 the Scots invaded Northumberland, the Godly Party seemed pleased to place pressure on Charles, in negotiation with Covenanters. Charles had truce at Ripon, Yorkshire, October.
What did Scottish presence mean for Parliament?
Scots occupied Northumberland and County Durham with Parliament opened to pay them £850 a day, he couldn’t dismiss Parliament while Scots were present. Lords and Commoners determined to return to traditional government and get rid of evil counsellors who led Charles astray.
How did Long Parliament open?
Long Parliament, 3 November 1640. No concessions from Charles. 86 positions in Commons contested over 20.
- Puritans saw Parliament as defence against Popery.
- Moderates feared colleagues bent on Parliamentary absolutism, didn’t want end of bishops/prayer books - constitutional royalists.
- Petitions to punish Strafford and Laud. Pym opened denouncing Charles and adding popists had plot to alter law.
What were consequences of Long Parliament?
Strafford and Laud were imprisoned and Finch and Secretary of State Windebank fled abroad. Ship money judges were impeached. In December two subsidies were voted to cover needs while Junto dominated Parliament. Scots in Northumberland prevented premature dissolution.
Who were the Junto?
Junto: Parliamentarians led in Lords by Earl of Bedford, Lord Saye and Sele, and Lord Brooke, and in Commons by John Pym, Denzil Hollez, Nathaniel Fiennes, and Oliver St John. Had been in collusion with Scots and petitioned Charles for Parliament in the summer. Favoured Protestant foreign policy and Puritan reform to Church.
Why were Junto effective?
The Junto were effective as they won over both Houses and were influential with committees and promoted petitions and demonstrations such as attacking bishops in 1640-41.
How was government to be established?
Government was to be established with Bedford lord treasurer and Pym chancellor of the exchequer with Laudian reform swept away, though bishops would be retained. They would provide Charles with finance based on ship money but policies failed as Charles didn’t want to lose freedom, MPs had concern over tax, Scots didn’t like retaining bishops.
