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Revolutions in England
In addition to the thirty year was, a series of rebellions and civil wars rocked Europe in the seventeenth century. It would take another revolution later in the century to finally resolve this struggle. -
James I
The stuart line of rulers bean with the accession to the throne of Elizabeth's cousin, the kin of scotland, who becames James I of England. James believed in Divine rights of the king- that kings receive their power from God and ae responsible on to God. -
Religion
Religion was an issue as well. The Puritans did not like the King's strong defense of the Church of England. The puritans were members of the church of England but wished to make the church more Protestant. -
House of Commons
Many of England's gentry, mostly well-to-do landowners, had become Puritans. The puritan gentry formed an important part of the House of Commons, the lower house of Parliament. It was not wise to alienate them -
Married
King Charles I married Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV of France at St Augustine's Church, Canterbury, Kent. The marriage was not popular because she was a Catholic. -
Parliament dismissed
Parliament were unhappy with the activities of Charles' chief minister, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham had led a failed mission to Cadiz and it appeared that he was planning to help the French to put down the Protestant Huguenot uprising. Parliament moved to have Buckingham dismissed from office. Charles retaliated by dismissing parliament. -
Charles I
The conflict that began duing the region of James came to a head durin the regin of his son, Charles I. Charles also believed in divine rights of the kings. The parliament passed a petiion that prohibited the passing of taxes without their consent. Bu Charles didnt pass it because it would put limits to is power -
Charles I
Also tried to impose more ritual on the Church of England. To the puritans, this was a return to Catholic practices. When Charles tried to force the puritans to accept the religious policies, thouasands of them chose to go to America instead. -
Three resolutions
There were outbursts in Parliament when the Petition of Right was debated and the doors were locked to keep royal guards out. The Speaker, who wanted to adjourn the proceedings, was held in his chair. Parliament passed three resolutions:
1.That they would condemn any move to change religion.
2. That they would condemn any taxation levied without Parliament's authority.
3. That any merchant who paid 'illegal' taxes betrayed the liberty of England.
Charles dismissed Parliament. -
Archbishop Laud
Charles appointed William Laud as Archbishop of Canterbury. Laud was known to have Catholic leanings and Charles hoped that his appointment would help to stop the rise of the Puritans. -
Shipped Money
This tax was paid by coastal towns to pay for the upkeep of the Royal Navy. In a bid to raise more money, Charles now imposed the tax on inland towns as well. -
National Covenant and Book of Common Prayer
Charles demanded that the Book of Common Prayer be used in the Scottish Kirk. The Calvinist-dominated Scottish church resisted the move. There were riots and a National Covenant was formed which protested against any religious interference in Scotland by England. The Scottish Kirk was so incensed that it expelled the Bishops installed in Scotland by James I. -
Long Parliament
Charles had to have money to pay for an efficient army with which to defeat the Scots. However, he couldn't have the money until he agreed to Parliament's demands which included an Act which stated that parliament should meet once every five years and the arrest for treason of Strafford. Charles had no choice but to comply. -
Civil War
Complaints grew until England Slipped into a civil war in 1642 between the supporters of the king (the cavaliers or royalists) and the parliamentary forces (called the roundheads because of their short hair). -
Oliver Cromwell
parliament proved victorious, due largely to the new model army of Oliver Cromwell, a military genius. The new model army was made up chiefly of more extreme Puritans, knowns as the independents. These men believed they were doing battle for God.
