Section 1, 1603 - 16 Flashcards
What causes a temporary power vacuum in 1603?
March - Queen Elizabeth I of England dies
Last member of the Tudor line, vacuum opens as parliament determines a successor
What is the state of finance in 1603?
National debt at £400,000, even though Elizabeth was not frivolous with national funds
What creates stagnated conflict within the church in 1603?
Initial conflicts between Caths & Prots following the Prot Reformation have calmed
Ideological compromise reached with only minimal levels of backlash occurring from more radical groups
Bloody Mary 1553-58
Spanish armada to reinstate Catholicism (1588)
What is the state of English foreign policy in 1603?
England currently at war with Spain, has been for 18 years
Opposition from Catholic Factions.
What is current parliaments job in 1603?
Find a suitable successor to the throne.
When did James VI of Scotland become king of England & Ireland?
How long had he been ruling in Scotland?
Who was his wife?
July 1603
36 years
Anne of Denmark
How did James’ initial finances compare to Elizabeth’s?
James more accommodated to handling of Scottish finance, dealt with far smaller funds (prior annual revenue only £50,000), meaning he may not be best equipped to handle the finance of England.
What were James’ religious views when he took the English throne & how did they align with the Church of England?
Protestant, coming from presbyterian Scotland, meaning his faith is in line with that of the national church, and the majority of his new subjects
Also firm believer in Predestination (the belief that God makes all, and thus people cannot fall astray from his path), meaning he is more open-minded (Puritans)
What were James’ views on foreign policy in 1603?
Conflict as a last resort, peace should be maintained whenever possible
‘Rex Pacificus’
What were the political pros & cons to James as successor?
Relatively untested, as best fit in realms of geographical convenience, religion and uncontroversial policies
Main point of contention were rumours describing him as physically unpleasant as an individual, that mainly stemmed from traditional English Anti-Scottish Xenophobia
What was the Millinery Petition?
June 1603 - presented whilst on journey to London
Petition by puritan radicals who sought reform to the national church
James sympathetic (belief in predestination), decides to designate part of parishioners’ tithes to improve the salaries of ministers
The petition asked for such reforms that were anti-Catholic in nature
What was the Main Plot?
1603
Conspiracy Theory about a group of important political figures, mainly Elizabeth I’s favourite, Walter Raleigh
Alleged plot to overthrow the king and replace with cousin, Arabella Stuart
Raleigh imprisoned in Tower of London for treason
Who was Raleigh?
Why was he executed?
Elizabeth favourite
Involved in Main Plot
Failed attempt to regain favour with James in the form of an expedition from 1616-18 to find El Dorado.
Why was it considered that the Main Plot was a fabrication by James?
Remove Raleigh from power to improve relations with Spain; Raleigh financed several colonies in the Americas that interfered with Spanish plans
What was the Hampton Court Conference?
1604
Held to address concerns of influential individuals within the national church, including requests of the Millenary Petition
What did the Hampton Court Conference achieve?
No religious changes made, but work does initiate on King James’ Bible (1611), a translated version of the original Latin Bible
Publicly shows he’s willing to listen to alternate religious concerns
Clash over episcopacy (moderations not abolition)
When was James’ First Parliament?
What was its alternate name?
1604 - 11
The Blessed Parliament
Parogued temporarity in summer of 1610 after the Great Contract
What was the main topic during James’ First Parliament?
Union of Scotland & England - rejected by P & courts on grounds that it would effect Eng common law
James denied a subsidy as funds still being collected (begins financial issues between the two)
How did James’ First Parliament affect their relationship?
James not gaining anything indicative of reason for disdain between the two
What was the Buckinghamshire Election Case?
1604
Francis Goodwin selected as Buckinghamshire MP by popular vote
J disliked as an outlaw, stating parliamentary privileges were granted by the crown and could be taken away
Form of apology and satisfaction: removed Goodwin & replacement rival MP Francis Hastings, who was disliked & re-elections
How did the Buckinghamshire Election Case cause conflict between crown & Parliament?
Defines grey area in crown prerogative
What was the Shirley’s Case
1604
MP Shirley arrested for debt & held in the Fleet (Prison in London)
Led to P outcry as breached P privilege (freedom from arrest)
Eventually released & allowed to sit in the commons, but his debts were left unpaid
How did the Shirley’s Case affect crown & parliament relationship?
Tension surrounding arrest of MPs (P privilege)