The La Rochelle Raids, 1627-1628 Flashcards
What broader international tensions were the La Rochelle Raids part of?
The raids were part of escalating tensions between England and France, which were officially at war, further complicated by a new Franco-Spanish alliance.
Why was La Rochelle significant during the raids?
La Rochelle was a Protestant stronghold under siege by Cardinal Richelieu’s forces, representing the broader conflict between Huguenots and Catholic France.
Who were the key figures involved in the La Rochelle Raids?
- George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham – Charles I’s favorite and key advisor, whose military leadership was widely criticised.
- Cardinal Richelieu – Chief minister to Louis XIII, leading French efforts to suppress Huguenot resistance.
What was Buckingham’s initial objective in the La Rochelle Raids?
To assist the Huguenots at La Rochelle, demonstrating Protestant solidarity and maintaining English influence in continental affairs.
What key military event occurred during the La Rochelle Raids?
Buckingham’s forces landed on the Île de Rhé near La Rochelle and engaged in the Siege of St Martin, which ended in a failed assault due to short scaling ladders and poor preparation.
What was the outcome of the military campaign?
A humiliating English retreat after months of stalemate.
How many men served under Buckingham between 1624 and 1628, and what were the casualties?
Over 50,000 men served, with almost one-third dying. Specific to La Rochelle, out of 7,833 soldiers sent, only 2,989 returned alive.
What were the economic consequences of the campaign?
The campaign was a financial disaster, forcing Charles I to recall Parliament in 1628 to request funds.
How did the La Rochelle Raids affect Buckingham’s reputation?
Public and parliamentary hostility towards Buckingham increased, with many lamenting his survival despite the catastrophic outcome.
How did Charles I’s loyalty to Buckingham impact his relationship with Parliament and the public?
Charles’s unwavering loyalty to Buckingham alienated key political figures and the broader population, reinforcing the perception of arbitrary government.
What major political action resulted from the failure of the La Rochelle Raids?
The recall of Parliament in 1628, leading to heightened tensions over arbitrary taxation and governance issues.
What does the La Rochelle debacle reveal about Charles I’s governance?
It exemplified the failures of his autocratic decision-making, his inability to manage foreign policy, and his reliance on personal loyalty over merit.
How did the military failures contribute to broader discontent in England?
They added to dissatisfaction over financial mismanagement, religious tensions, and perceived favoritism at court.
What was Parliament’s response to Charles’s overreach following the La Rochelle Raids?
The Petition of Right (1628), asserting rights against forced loans, arbitrary imprisonment, and billeting.
Who were the Huguenots, and why were they central to the La Rochelle conflict?
French Protestants under siege at La Rochelle, symbolising the broader Protestant-Catholic struggle.
What was the Franco-Spanish Alliance, and why was it significant?
An alliance between France and Spain that reinforced the perception of a Catholic axis threatening Protestant England.
What is the Petition of Right (1628)?
A parliamentary response to Charles I’s overreach, asserting rights against forced loans, arbitrary imprisonment, and billeting.
What is meant by “arbitrary government”?
The perception that Charles I ruled without consultation, violating traditional English constitutional practices.
How does the concept of Personal Monarchy relate to the La Rochelle Raids?
The failure of La Rochelle highlighted the dangers of Charles I’s reliance on personal loyalty, such as his dependence on Buckingham, over institutional advice.
How did Charles I’s belief in the Divine Right of Kings influence his decisions during the La Rochelle Raids?
Charles’s unwavering support for Buckingham reflected his belief in his God-given authority to govern without accountability.
What are the two main historiographical interpretations of Charles I’s loyalty to Buckingham?
- Some historians argue it was rooted in a genuine belief in Buckingham’s competence.
- Others see it as evidence of Charles’s blindness to criticism.
Why are the La Rochelle Raids considered a turning point in the build-up to the Civil War?
They highlighted the king’s alienation from Parliament and the public, accelerating the deterioration of trust between the crown and its subjects.
What broader issues do the La Rochelle Raids epitomise?
Financial strain, unpopular governance, and tensions between monarchy and Parliament, contributing to challenges to Charles I’s authority.
