The Grand Remonstrance and arrest of Five Members 1641 Flashcards
When was the Grand Remonstrance
November 1641
The debate took place on 22-23 November, shortly before Charles returned from Scotland on 25 November
The content of the Grand Remonstrance
• Grievances
A list of grievances over financial and religious matters, many related to Charles’s behaviour during personal rule.
Who introduced the Grand Remonstrance
Pym introduced a document that outlined his criticisms of Charles’s reign
The content of the Grand Remonstrance
• Parliament’s control
A demand that parliament should approve Charles’s ministers in future and for parliament to have more control over the military
What was the Commons vote of the Grand Remonstrance?
The Commons approved the Grand Remonstrance by 159 votes to 148
What did the closeness of the result show?
The closeness of the result showed that, like the country as a whole, parliament was divided between radicals who could not trust Charles, and conservatives.
Tension during November 1641
• Publication of the Grand Remonstrance
The Commons decided to publish the Grand Remonstrance before Charles could actually respond to it
Tension between Crown and Par in December 1641
• Militia Bill
In December 1641, Arthur Haselrig presented a Militia Bill to provide an army under the control of parliament to tackle the Irish Rebellion. This caused outraged moderates to flock to Charles’s side
Charles’s support in the winter of 1641
Moderates had flocked to Charles by the time he returned from Scotland in the winter of 1641. Charles felt he was in a strong position to attack the opposition
Tension during November 1641
• Impeachment of 12 bishops
The Commons impeached 12 of the bishops after they had complained about the legitimacy of laws passed in their absence.
What prompted Charles to arrest the opposition leaders
It was the impeachment of the 12 bishops formerly seized by parliament after they had complained about being barred from voting in the House of Lords
Content of the Grand Remonstrance November 1641
• Bishops
A request that bishops be deprived of their votes in the House of Lords
What did Charles abuse in the arrest of the Five Members?
Charles had abused accepted parliamentary privilege
When was the arrest of Five Members?
January 1642
What was the Militia Ordinance
The Ordinance acted as a call to arms for parliament, instructing lord-lieutenant to raise forces in the counties
