Pym and the development of parliamentary radicalism

Question 1

What was Pym’s aim?

Answer 1

To restore the ‘true religion’, which appeared to underscore every political decision he made.

Question 2

Views on the evil councillors

Answer 2

The opposition was in unanimous agreement that Charles’s advisers were at fault and, after their removal, balance would be restored to the constitution.

Question 3

What was the Root and Branch Petition 1640

Answer 3

It listed religious grievances relating to the treatment of the clergy, restrictions on preaching and the encouragement of arminianism

Question 4

What did the Root and Brach Petition of 1640 ask for?

Answer 4

It asked for the abolition of bishops, which the Covenanters had already achieved in Scotland in 1638.

Question 5

The future security of parliaments

• The Triennial Act 1641

Answer 5

It obliged Charles to call a parliament at least once every three years, like the Scottish version passed in 1640

Question 6

The future security of parliaments

• The Act Against Forcible Dissolution 1641

Answer 6

The Long Parliament could only be dissolved with its own consent. It did not apply future parliaments and was therefore not a long-term restriction on the royal prerogative