Tonnage and Poundage, 1625 Flashcards
What was Charles I’s agenda in 1625 regarding foreign policy?
Charles I pursued an anti-Spanish foreign policy, which required significant financial resources, approximately £1 million.
What financial expectations did Charles I have of Parliament in 1625?
He expected Parliament to grant subsidies (special one-off payments) and confirm the right to collect tonnage and poundage, a customary revenue source.
What is tonnage and poundage?
It is a tax on imports and exports, calculated per ton of wine and pound of other goods.
When was tonnage and poundage first introduced, and for what purpose?
It was introduced in 1547 to fund the navy and support the protection of English trade by ensuring safe passage of trading ships.
How was tonnage and poundage traditionally granted by Parliament?
It was traditionally granted to a monarch for their lifetime at the start of their reign.
What key role did Tonnage and Poundage serve during a monarch’s reign?
It symbolised the financial autonomy of the crown and was used primarily for naval maintenance.
Why did the Commons mistrust Charles I’s foreign policy in 1625?
It was largely influenced by George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, who was perceived as politically over-dominant and militarily incompetent.
How did Parliament view Buckingham’s role in the issue of tonnage and poundage?
As Lord High Admiral, Buckingham controlled naval funding and was seen as a direct beneficiary of tonnage and poundage.
How much financial support did Parliament grant Charles I in 1625?
Parliament granted two subsidies worth approximately £140,000 and only one year of tonnage and poundage collection.
How did the House of Lords react to the Commons’ decision on tonnage and poundage in 1625?
The Lords refused to ratify the decision, citing tradition, which created tensions between the two Houses and Charles.
How did Charles I react to Parliament’s limitations on tonnage and poundage?
He ignored Parliament’s decision, ordered tax collectors to continue collecting tonnage and poundage beyond the first year, and viewed the decision as an attack on his Divine Right and prerogative.
What did Parliament’s restriction on tonnage and poundage signify politically?
It was a way to undermine Buckingham’s power, highlighted growing distrust between the monarchy and Commons, and challenged traditional practices.
What broader constitutional conflict did the tonnage and poundage issue illustrate?
It highlighted the clash between monarchical prerogative and parliamentary sovereignty.
How did Charles I’s actions regarding tonnage and poundage contribute to future constitutional crises?
His defiance set the stage for future conflicts, reflecting his unwillingness to compromise and exacerbating tensions with Parliament.
How did the issue of tonnage and poundage exemplify the Divine Right of Kings?
Charles believed his authority came directly from God, making any challenge from Parliament illegitimate in his view
What economic challenges contributed to Charles I’s reliance on extra-parliamentary revenue?
Financial shortfalls due to insufficient subsidies led to reliance on forced loans and continued collection of tonnage and poundage, increasing political friction.
How did Buckingham’s role affect the tonnage and poundage controversy?
His perceived incompetence and dominance symbolized royal mismanagement, intensifying parliamentary mistrust.
What does the Whig perspective suggest about the tonnage and poundage controversy?
It views the challenge to tonnage and poundage as part of Parliament’s broader campaign to limit royal power and establish constitutional governance.
What does the revisionist perspective emphasize about the tonnage and poundage issue?
It emphasizes structural financial issues inherited by Charles and argues that Buckingham’s failures amplified existing tensions.
How did the tonnage and poundage issue in 1625 set the stage for future constitutional battles?
It illustrated early strains in the relationship between Charles I and Parliament, driven by mistrust, financial necessity, and the influence of Buckingham, leading to the crises of the 1630s and 1640s.
