Year 12 1629-1640 Flashcards
What were Whig historians interpretations of Charles rule without Parliament?
- wrote in the late 19th and early 20th century
- argue that there was a ‘high road’ to civil war
- they say war was caused by a long-term conflict over power between the crown and Parliament and that civil war was inevitable
- they would refer to 1630s as an ‘eleven years tyranny’
- would argue Charles attempted to rule as an absolutist monarch
what were revisionist historians interpretations of Charles’ rule without Parliament?
- writing from the 1970s onwards
- would argue the war was caused by short term factors
- they stress that conflict was not inevitable
- they use the label of ‘personal rule’
- suggest there was many positives of the personal rule period
what were the post-revisionist interpretations of charles’ rule without parliament?
- try to find a middle way between whig and revisionist arguments
-argue that while the war was not inevitable, it did have real long term consequences
when was parliament dismissed?
parliament was dismissed in 1629 - he would not call it again until 1640
who were the privy council?
the king’s chosen advisors who met to shape the king’s wishes into policies, and oversaw the implementation of these policies
e.g william laud, thomas wentworth
What was the role of the courts?
- they all inforced charles will
- existed to assert the king’s authority
what was the star chamber?
- made up of privy councillors selected by the monarch
- cases were heard in secret
- the court could sentence individuals to fines, imprisonment or corporal punishment, but could not give the death penalty
what was the court of high commision?
- the chief church court
- Laud used it to punish those within the church who defied the uniformity and order he was attemptine to introduce
what were the council of the north and council of the welsh
regional prerogative courts
what was the role of sheriffs in local gov
- chosen by the king
- main task was the administration of justice
- held alleged criminals in jail until the country deals with them
- an unpopular role
what was the role of constables in local gov
- selected by sheriffs
- men from the local community who served for one year - unpaid
- upheld common law
- loyalty was to their local area and to the king
what was the Book of Orders?
- laid down a clear procedure for organising local government
- ordered the JPs to meet monthly - supervise the work of the constables
- send reports directly to the sheriffs who would pass on reports to the privy council
What was Charles court like?
- James’ court had been informal with little hierarchy
- Charles preferred a more formal and dignified style - he aimed to restrict access to himself and amphasise the divine nature of the monarch
- once Parliament was dismissed the court took on increasing importance as the only centre of power
- It also became isolated as Charles seemed to be surrounding himself with his closest supporters only
- led to a growing gap beetween court and country which some historians say contributed significantly to the outbreak of civil war.
Henrietta Maria and Catholics?
- after Bs death they became a devoted couple
- HM continued to practice her Catholic faith
- some courtiers converted to Catholicism mainly to gain influence and patronage
- his wife’s catholicism led some puritans to fear that england was being taken back to the Catholic church
What were masques?
Eleaborate plays with dancing and extravagant costumes
Why was Charles and HM in masques?
The usual theme of the masques qas of a country in chaos which was restored to beautiful order by the appearance of the King and Queen
What was the problem with art and masques?
- Masques were deeply unpopular with Puritans
- Charles’ love of art - suggested a love of Catholic Europeans culture
Van Dyck - his portraits seemed to emphasise the Bivine right of kings and even suggested an absolutist nature to Charles’ rule
How did people outside the court feel?
Believed that the Catholics at court were corrupting the king and tturning him towards absolutism