Stuart Britain Points Test 1 - Financial and Political Disagreements between Crown and Parliament, 1603-1629 Flashcards
How did Robert Cecil, Chief Minister under Elizabeth and James’ first Lord Treasurer, attempt to deal with James’ financial difficulties?
1610, beginnings of negotiations with Parliament over the ‘Great Contract’.
What did Cecil ask from parliament for James, in return for giving up some prerogative income, in the Great Contract? Give two points.
Return for annual grant of £200,000 from parliament
Removal of debts of £600,000.
What was the conflict between James and Parliament in his first parliament of 19th March 1604, concerning the selection of 2 MPs, one a privy councillor, the other accused of being an outlaw?
The Buckinghamshire election.
How much more was James spending than Elizabeth from 1603-1625, in terms of crown expenditure?
Twice as much!
Why did James’ financial extravagance make parliament less willing to provide funds for the crown?
Such generosity made MP’s reluctant to consider financial reform or give James more money, as they worried James would simply give money away, particularly to favoured Scots.
Why were the ante-suppers notorious? Give two points.
Extremely wasteful-one feast just for show, thrown away!
One in 1621 cost £3300.
What positive results did James’ lavish generosity have?
Patronage crucial to political system, buying goodwill to a new monarch coming to the throne/James a new Monarch.
When did James press for an Act of Union?
1606.
Why was the Act of Union rejected by both Scottish and English Political Nations? Give two points.
Xenophobia of both sides/dislike of equality between nations from English!
Parliamentary records from 1606 make it clear that they felt the laws of England would be destroyed by the creation of Great Britain..
What was the Cockayne project?
1614, plan to reorganise the cloth trade, and a commission to prevent further building in London-monopoly granted to businessman William Cockayne, scheme failed.
Why did the Cockayne project fail?
Dutch refused to purchase finished cloth from England, slump in English cloth trade.
What was the royal debt, by 1617, and 1620?
By 1617, Royal debt £726,000, economy entering depression.
By 1620, Royal debt at £900,000
What support did Parliament offer James as regards finances for potential involvement in the Thirty Year’s War?
1621, only 2 subsidies totalling £140,000.
By 1621, how many monopolies were there?
By 1621, more than 100 monopolies.
In the midst of factional court strife over monopolies, who did James sacrifice to impeachment by the commons (by Cranfield/Coke) to save Buckingham?
Lord Chancellor Francis Bacon.
How did James’ parliament of 1624 attempt to strengthen the crown finances? Give two points.
Subsidy Act-grant of £300,000 to crown for warfare.
To gain subsidy, Crown (Buckingham/Charles, James old and ill) agreed money only for specified areas of foreign policy, supervised by parliamentary officials.
What was introduced to limit royal power over monopolies in 1624?
Statue of Monopolies-act limited crown’s rights to grant monopolies to individuals.
What did Charles I ask of Parliament to become more involved in Thirty Year’s War in 1625, and what was their response?
Charles asked for £1 million, wouldn’t say what for or ask for specific subsidy.
Commons voted only 2 subsidies, £140,000.
Why, other than mistrust of Charles, might parliament have refused to grant Charles Tonnage and Poundage for life then?
A slight at Buckingham as Lord of the Admiralty.
Why was Charles’ forced loan of 1626 different to previous forced loans by earlier monarchs?
To be paid by all people who normally paid parliamentary taxes, not just a few wealthy subjects.
How big was the 1626 forced loan, in terms of subsidy size?
Equivalent of 5 parliamentary subsidies-huge amount!
When was the 5 knights’ case, a direct result of Charles’ forced loan?
November 1627.
What three demands did the Petition of Right, 1628, make upon Charles?
- King should never again levy taxes without parliamentary approval.
- No one should be imprisoned without cause given or trial.
- Soldiers/sailors shouldn’t be billeted in private houses by martial law.
Which two particular leaders forced through the three resolutions in parliament on 2nd March 1628, which led to the dissolution of Parliament, also making the speaker Finch cry?
- Sir John Eliot
* Denzil Hollis
How much debt was Charles in by 1629?
£2 million, and he’d alienated large sections of the population of the political nation.
