Stuarts - Chapter 2: James I And Charles I Flashcards
Name some characteristics of James I and Charles I
James I - experienced monarch, popular, intellectual, good leader, pragmatic
Charles I - inferiority complex, formal, unwilling to compromise, uncommunicative with Parliament
What was the atmosphere of James I’s court? What was a source of tension and criticism in the court?
Court was known to be open and lively as James was open and physical with his courtiers
Tension was caused by a high concentration of Scots in the bedchamber (more interaction with monarch so more political influence) as well as the thought that the court was drunken and immoral by outsiders. George Villiers was also a source of tension as he became a favourite in 1615 and caused jealousy throughout court as he gained patronage and the kings affection.
How did James I interact with the PN?
James I compromised with PN while defending prerogative powers as he saw himself as the ‘peacemaker king’ (foreign policy)
How did Charles I conduct his royal court? Why did this cause conflict with Parliament?
Charles imposed strict order and often only had supporters in his court as he did not accept criticism, his court was also dominated by Catholics and Arminians (Catholicism specifically, was linked to absolutism & PN didn’t want an absolute monarch)
Charles I’s court also held lavish court masques and Charles had comprised an expensive art collection, caused conflict with Parliament as Crown was heavily in debt
Who was Charles I’s favourite and why was he a source of tension in court?
George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham who was allowed a dominant role in managing royal patronage, this caused conflict in Parliament
What were Charles I’s views on monarchy? How did the affect his treatment of the PN?
He believed heavily in Divine Right and defended his prerogative strongly (and was therefore unwilling to negotiate), he was also isolated from the PN so his court often hampered dialogue to them which undermined his authority
