Personal rule: economic policy Flashcards
What was the most pressing problem during the personal rule?
Raising money whilst avoiding policies which could be seen as illegal, as Charles could not afford to loose the support of JPs and other local officials.
How much did the royal household cost?
It cost £260,000 per year, it employed around 2,000 people and there was an app using amount of waste- the household’s food ration for the day would have been enough to feed 1962 people for a whole years.
Why was it difficult for Weston to reduce expenditure in the royal household?
He could not afford to alienate royal servants, he was able to halt the upward curve of expenditure, but no structural reform of finances was undertaken.
What were the consequences of the ending of war with Spain?
It led to a huge trade boom, owing to the Dutch being excluded from Spanish trade, England gained a monopoly over the Iberian trade, this led to an increase in crown revenue, 2/3rds of which was accounted for by customs,
Explain distraint of knighthood
All men worth over £40 were meant to come forward at the coronation and be knighted, but the practice had fallen out of use. Charles revived it and fined all those who had not been knighted for refusing to show their support.
How were forest boundaries changed?
They were increased to what they had been 450 years earlier and people suddenly found themselves living in ‘forests’ so could be fined for poaching and farming.
What other measures of fiscal feudalism were introduced?
- Fines for overstaying in London. 2. Fines for building a house too close to London. 3. Fines for eating meat during lent.
What was the problem with fiscal feudalism?
It was unfair and arbitrary, the class it effected most was the gentry, the very class from whom Charles needed support. It also provided no long term solution to the financial issues.
What did Charles do to the 1624 statute of monopolies?
He exploited a loophole in it to allow him to grant monopolies to chartered companies. One particularly unpopular monopoly was the one on soap held by a group of Catholics, this brought in £29,000 per year for the king.
What was ship money?
It had been a tax which was levied on coastal towns for defense during wartime, in 1634, Charles raised it on all coastal towns and in 1635 levied it on the whole country, against all precedent.
Give three consequences of ship money
- It was initially very successful, raising £190,000 with an only 2.5% rate of non payment. 2. It led to a greater degree of political awareness amongst the masses. 3. It effected the roles off sheriffs, who often found themselves still collecting ti long after their terms in office had ended.
What was hampden’s case?
In 1637 merchant john hampden was brought to court for refusing to pay ship money. The case aroused national interest and the judges only ruled 7:5 in favor of Charles, not the victory he had been hopping for.
What were the consequences of hampden’s case?
It served as a moral victory for hampden and in 1638 the amount of ship money collected fell 20%, it raised fears over what the money was being used for and created unrest.
What was the situation like in 1637?
It appeared very calm: the monarchy was solvent, the country was at peace, the king had heirs and it appeared Charles could successfully carry on ruling without parliament.
How is the calm situation of 1637 misleading?
- Parliament was unable to meet, so discontent was not able to be expressed, this did not mean there was none. 2. There was a huge upsurge in immigration, with 1630 alone seeing 11 ships of 700 passengers leave for the new world.
