Relevant Context - Political

Question 1

When did Charles I become the King of England, Scotland and Ireland?

Answer 1

1625

• He wasn’t groomed for kinghood but Henry (older brother) had died
• James was aloof and stubborn with a poor relationship with the parliament.

Question 2

What was the main role of the parliment?

Answer 2

• Making and amending laws (with approval from monarch)
• Approving regular taxation collected on behalf of the crown

Question 3

What did Charles do in 1629?

Answer 3

• Dissolved the parliament and ruled alone for 11 years
• Due to falling out over his approach to govt. finances and a number of failed military attempts.
• Recalled 1640

Question 4

When and why did Charles recall the parliament?

Answer 4

• 1640
• To persuade them to vote him the funds to fight a war with the Scots
• The Scots had rebelled over Charles decision to impose the English prayer book on them

Question 5

Give an example of a tax imposed by Charles

Answer 5

• Ship Money
• Traditionally levied on coastal countries and towns
• To provide for the fleet
• This was extended to the entire country, resulting in financial demands being made of the inland gentry

Question 6

What did Charles do in January 1642?

Answer 6

• Attempted to arrest 5 leading MPs who had acted as ringleaders to restrict his powers
• They fled and Charles left London to raise an army
• He stated this was in self-defence

Question 7

When did Charles raise his standard in Nottingham?

Answer 7

August 1642

• Signalled the start of the Civil War
• The first battle at Edgehill on October 1642 was regarded a draw

Question 8

What breakthrough did the parliament use to win the war?

Answer 8

1645 - Assembled New Model Army

• The core was taken from the Eastern Association
• Disciplined and well trained
• Helped at Battle of Naseby June 1645

Question 9

Why was East Anglia particularly affected by the civil war?

Answer 9

• Suffolk served as parliaments main recruiting ground
• 20% men conscripted.
• Eg. Margery Sparham confessed to entertaining the Devils imp after being left alone and vulnerable as her husband was in the war.

Question 10

Give examples of how the traditional roles of women were changing due to the war

Answer 10

• 1645 - Royalist women from Lancashire - Gave birth to a headless baby
• The body of a habitual sinner was dug up by dogs and eaten
• Women began to drink and swear like men
• 20% of men conscripted
• Puritans believed women should be seen as socially and spiritually equal to men

Question 11

How was the traditional authority of the Church of England undermined by the war?

Answer 11

• Areas controlled by parliament
• Undesirable ministers ejected
• Often replaced by puritan
• Royalist sympathies faced arrest and confiscation of estates

Question 12

What affect did the war have on the legal structure within East Anglia?

Answer 12

• Assize court unable to function normally
• Considered too dangerous to make the journey from London.
• July 1946 - Earl of Warwick (parliamentarian) commissioned to oversee the Essex summer assize - little legal experience - 19 women hung.
• Assize of Bury St Edmunds was suspended - prisoners condemned were immediately executed
• The absence of senior judges exacerbated the spread

Question 13

How did a breakdown in legal authority benefit Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne?

Answer 13

• Suspension of assize courts increased fear
• Hopkins and Stearne appeared to be legitimate legal knowledge and efficiently when this was in short supply