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Charles inherits the throne (March 1625)
The divine right doctrine was a key element for legitimising king’s rights.
As it was symbolized in Charles coronation ceremony, monarch being chosen and approved by God himself and thus answerable to God alone. -
First Parliament met in June 1625
Nevertheless, Charles power was not absolute, it was generally recognized that the highest form of law were laws made with assistance and approval of Parliament.
Disagreements between the king and MPs began when Commons refused to grant Charles right to collect Tonnage and Poundage for life.
Instead MPs suggested that a grant should be made for year (it would ensure Parliament regular meetings). -
Arminiarism
Henrietta Maria arrived in England bringing her own court of Catholic advisers.
Meanwhile Charles had shown his religious sympathies by promoting Arminian clergy.
Arminiarism was seen by many Puritan MPs as dangerously close to Catholicism (Arminians adopted many ‘high church’ practices such as use of organs). -
Dissolution of Parliament in 1626
Naval expedition was sent to attack port Cadiz in Spain in late 1625.
Poorly equipped and poorly led by Buckingham’s nominee it failed completely.
MPs began the process of impeachment against Buckingham. Eventually, Charles chose to dissolve Parliament in early 1626. -
Forced loans
Forced to dissolve Parliament without any grant of taxation Charles started demanding forced loan from all taxpayers.
In 1627 a group of five knights refused to pay the loan and were imprisoned.
They were refused their opportunity to go to the court because Charles claimed his emergency power to arrest. -
Parliament of 1628-1629
In 1628 Charles summoned another parliament to provide funds for national defense.
Britain became involved in war with both France and Spain and Charles had no choice but to seek further subsidies. -
Petition of Rights
MPs offered to the king carefully worded document, asking him to reverse decision made in Five Knights case.
They also demanded that in future citizens would not being asked to pay forced loans and imprisoned without trial.
The chance of reconciliation between the king and parliament diminished rapidly as Charles imprisoned merchants using same justification of emergency powers. On top of this Buckingham was assassinated in January 1629 -
Growth of Arminiarism
In 1628 Charles appointed William Laud as a Bishop of London -
Dissolution of Parliament in 1629
Charles ordered Parliament to adjourn.
On the day of adjournment a group of MPs led by John Eliot demanded passing of three resolutions against growth of Arminiarism, levying Tonnage and Poundage.
When Speaker refused to delay adjournment they held him in chair until resolutions have passed -
Period of Personal rule - foreign policies
Charles signed Treaty of Madrid in 1630 ending hostilities with Spain. This would led his annual spendings on war reducing significantly. -
Period of Personal Rule - finances
Charles gave his attention to the state finances, for example he revived practice of selling monopoly licenses.
The greatest controversy of the all, however, came with establishing Ship Money as an annual tax. In 1635 it was extended to the inland territories. -
Reaction and resistance (Church reforms)
In the Church of England, promotion of Arminians like Laud (appointed Archibishop of Canterbury in 1633) meant that strict adherence to rules of ritual and formality was now demanded. Puritans who put emphasis on individual prayer resisted.
The ministers who failed to conform were stripped of their livings.
Many clergymen chose to emigrate to Puritan colonies of New England in America. -
Reaction and resistance (financial policies)
Although opposition to the Ship Money increased over 1636-39 and only 20% of expected money were raised in 1639, this was not so much because resistance was stronger or better organized but because Privy Council and county sheriffs were overburdened by the need to raise army to fight in Scotland. -
The Scottish troubles
In provoking war he could not sustain Charles demonstrated an inability to understand impact of his decisions.
Book of Canons issued to Scottish clergy in 1636 introduced a number of practices associated with the Church of England.
Mood darkened when English Prayer Book was introduced to Scottish churches in 1637. When it was first read in Edinburg Cathedral a riot broke out. -
First Bishops’ War
Disorder spread around Scotland and in 1638 the Scottish clergy and nobility met and drew up a National Covenant to defend Kirk and restore their religious rights.
Both Charles and Covenanters raised armies but Charles lacking money realised he could not win.
Treaty of Berwick was signed in 1639 ending the war. -
Second Bishops’ War
Under-equipped force was collected to fight Scots.
As a result Charles was defeated in the battle of Newburn and after the terms of subsequent Treaty of Ripon in October he was forced to pay Scots 850£ a day while they occupied Newcastle. -
Short Parliament (met in April 1640)
Lacking funds Charles called parliament, MPs assembled and produced many petitions against various aspects of personal rule.
Charles had demonstrated again his inability to compromise instead of making some concessions he simply demanded money from parliament.
He dissolved the parliament after only three weeks.