Charles I:Charles I:

His rule

His problems

His demise

House of Tudor

House of Stuart

Second Stuart King – son of James I

Reigned: 1625-1649

Distrusted by Parliament due to religious reasons Charles- Church of England

Parliament – Puritan

ANDParliament – House of Lords – noblemen

House of Commons – Merchant & landed aristocrats

Charles needed $ to fight war with Spain – needed Parliament’s approval to get it…

What was the issue of “ship money”?

Would you pay it if you were an in-lander?

Other actions to upset his people:

1. Forced Loans (taxes theoretically to be repaid)

2. Imprisoned anyone who didn’t pay taxes

3. Quartered troops in private homes

If you were Parliament, how do you get Charles I to do what you want?

Parliament met in 1628 and tried to “pull a fast one”

Petition of Right

Declaration of constitutional freedom requiring:

1. No forced loans or taxation without Parliament’s approval

2. No freedman should be imprisoned without due cause

3. No quartering of soldiers in private homes

He agreed and got his money, but no one trusted him to keep his word

Made Peace with France 1629

Made Peace with Spain 1630

Disbanded Parliament – no need for them…

He then made a huge mistake: He got involved in…

He had the dean of St. Giles Cathedral in Scotland introduce a new prayer book in 1637 in “Puritan” Scotland that was almost identical to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. The Scots rebelled, so he needed…

Asked Parliament for $

They said “yes, but only if you give in to demands”

He said “NO” – dissolved the “Short Parliament” (2 months)

The Scots defeated the English in a few key battles

Charles I recalled Parliament and agreed to their demands

“Long Parliament” 1640-1660

Demanded:

1. No new taxes without approval

2. Parliament could not be dismissed without its own approval

3. Parliament had to meet once every three years

Long Parliament divided on what to do with Religion – downfall

Charles I saw weakness and gathered forces for a war against them

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

Roundheads – Parliament VS Cavaliers – King’s supporters(Puritans) (Anglicans)

Roundheads led by Oliver Cromwell – reorganized the army and defeated the Royalist

•Reconvened Parliament but refused entry to any that opposed him

•The “Rump” Parliament (50 men) condemned Charles I of treason

•Let’s read about his next move…

Roundheads led by Oliver Cromwell – reorganized the army and defeated the Royalist

•Reconvened Parliament but refused entry to any that opposed him

•The “Rump” Parliament (50 men) condemned Charles I of treason and sent him to his death

•England declared a Commonwealth with Cromwell as “Lord Protector” under The Instrument of Government constitution.

Post Script…

Cromwell tried to rule England but faced many problems:

-he was too pro-puritan for most

-spent too much on his military

-did help increase the power and prestige of parliament

-at his death, everyone was ready to return to Monarchy and Charles II was put in place