Stuart Britain- Charles I

Question 1

Discuss the reasons why Charles I embarked on Personal Rule. [20]

Answer 1

Plan:
Intro: DIVINE RIGHT
1) Finance
-Charles’ debts had reached £2 million and Parliament’s refusal to grant him subsidies or revenue from Tunnage and Poundage, a royal income usually granted for a lifetime, meant he felt that Parliament was getting in his way of financial freedom, only agreeing to give subsidies through the restriction of royal prerogative, something which Charles saw as the only thing he had left after the Petition of Right of 1628
2) Religion
-Charles had had enough of the Puritan Parliament’s views on monarchy, instead favouring Arminianism which support Divine Right. Without Parliament, Charles could appoint his own clergy and propagate his power through Arminians such as Laud, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1633
3) Foreign Policy
-keen to show he was a strong king, Charles wished to be free of Parliament’s control over foreign policy, wanting to have control over such affairs and so also retain the right to raise his own army if he so wished. this allowed Charles to raise his own fores in the bishops’ wars
4) Relations with Parliament
-Charles’ upbringing and his father’s views on Parliament meant he was reluctant to cede royal prerogative power to a band of Puritan ministers in Parliament. The Three Resolution of 1629 in which the Speaker of the House of Commons was physically restrained while the bill was passed
Conclusion: DIVINE RIGHT

Question 2

‘Religion was the main reason why Charles I was forced to call Parliament in 1640 and end his Personal Rule.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [20]

Answer 2

Introduction: Agree: religion was the catalyst which sped up other issues which led to the break down of Personal Rule
1) Religion: Scottish Covenant and Bishop’s Wars
-Charles favoured Arminianism, so when Laud introduced the Scottish Prayer Book in 1637, Charles was ready to go to war, which ruined his finances
2)Finance: Bishop’s Wars and extravagance
-the First and Second Bishop’s Wars as well as funding in Ireland was draining his finances as the Scots demanded to be paid £850 a day until a settlement was reached with Charles I
3) Rift between his ministers and civilian government
-Charles, Strafford (Wentworth) and Laud became isolated from day to day governance and from civilian government, especially with the Bishop’s wars underway. they needed Parliament to take charge of some governmental operations, especially finance by granting subsidies to Charles
4) Religion: fear of Popery
-Charles’ ministers Laud and Wentworth represented popery in the eyes of many people, espcially on the West coast where rumours of a Catholic invasion headed by Wentworth spread fear
-this meant that sooner or later, Charles’ government would be paralysed by the fears of low-level administrators who had lost confidence in the regime and would seek the return to ‘normal’ civilian government which could safeguard England from its Catholic enemies.
-therefore Charles had no choice but to summon Parliament as fears surrounding religion were threatening to paralyse his rule
Conclusion: Religion was the catalyst which made Charles’ Personal Rule lack the abilities of a government to deal with a crisis, so when the bishop’s Wars erupted, he had no choice but to summon Parliament

Question 3

‘Charles I’s attitude and behaviour caused the First Civil War.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? [20 marks]

Answer 3

Introduction:
1)-Agree, Charles' attitude and behaviour towards Parliament and his beliefs in Divine Right meant he was prepared to use force to defend his aims to rule. 
-This was demonstrated in the Five Members case of 1642, where Charles entered the House of Commons with 300 armed guards to arrest 5 MPs. 
-This shows 
2)
3)
4)
Conclusion: