Charles and Parliament

Charles IUpon the death of King James I, his son – Charles I – was to take over as King of England. Charles was King of England from 27 March 1625–1649Charles was very dignified and charming man…. Other than that he was from the exact same cloth as his father.

Charles IHe was unwilling to work with Parliament, he devoutly believed in the Devine Right of Kings, he spent money in a very foolish manner, and he relied on very poor advice from very un-intelligent people. His advisors would lead into one disaster after another, including wars with his allies – France and Spain. He too did a great job in alienating many of his subjects, and people who might otherwise have supported him.

Charles ICharles, because of his desire to buy art, land, jewellery and so forth, ran out of money on a regular basis. When he asked parliament for more money, parliament would in return ask for concessions. Charles would agree, only to back out of the concessions once he received money from parliament. Once parliament figured out how Charles operated, they stopped giving him money.

Charles IUnable to get enough money from Parliament, Charles decided to bring back ancient types of taxes that Kings and Queens have not used for years. Ship money – was when coastal town would pay a tax to the King and in return the King would protect the towns via the use of his military and his ships. Charles brought back ship money, but he never protected the coastal towns. He used the money for himself.

Charles IHe also forced people to make loans to the Crown, he mortgaged royal properties and collected customs fees (known today as import taxes). He would billet his soldiers with homeowners – thus forcing homeowners to pay for the soldiers food and lodging. He increased the fees for government services, sold noble titles to anyone who would support him.

Charles IAnyone who would speak out against Charles, the Royal Family or anything that Charles did not like would be tried in the secret Court of Star Chambers.Here, he convicted, imprisoned and fined his enemies with pure hate and vengeance. People tried in this court had no rights under the laws of Britain, laws such as the MagnaCarta.

Charles calls on Parliament

Charles, still unable to raise enough money, decided to call back parliament hoping they would be more agreeable this time. Parliament, upon being called back in 1628, told the King that they would not grant him more money unless he ceased all of his illegal activities and signed a new charter called the “Petition of Rights.”Pg 33, review the petition. Ultimately, King Charles dissolved parliament and went about other ways to get more money.

Lord Strafford and Bishop Laud

After dissolving Parliament, Charles favourite advisor the Duke of Buckingham, was assassinated. While the public rejoiced the assassination, Charles mourned.Charles I, by now, was completely out of touch with his people. This didn’t stop him from appointing two new people to help him raise more money – Lord Strafford and Arch Bishop Laud. These two men were to find creative ways to fill the royal coffers, and they did so in many horrific ways. Problem was that no one in Britain like Strafford and Arch Bishop Laud.

Parliament RevoltsBy 1637 Charles had alienated the English people on religious and political grounds – but he did not stop there. He decided to alienate and upset the people his father used to rule. He decided to force the Scottish people to worship in the style of the Church of England. The Scots, who were Presbyterians, resisted this demand and revolted against Charles’ people. Charles called back parliament in 1640 once again to ask for sympathy and more money to fight the Scottish people, parliament refused to grant him any help.

Parliament RevoltsCharles shut down parliament in three weeks, angry that he couldn’t get what he wanted. Charles, still desperate for money to build up an army decided to compromise with parliament – so he called them back AGAIN!!!!!!!! Parliament told Charles that if he wanted more money, both Strafford and Laud were to be removed from office and punished. Charles gave in and handed Strafford and Laud over to Parliament.

Parliament RevoltsStrafford and Laud were convicted for their crimes and sentenced to death. Upon being executed Strafford said,

“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the sons of men, for in them there is no salvation.”

Now, with a decisive win over the King, parliament had to decide how much power they wanted to give back to Charles. However, members of parliament were split. Radicals wanted to take away most of his powers, but the conservatives in parliament just wanted the king/queen would continue to rule the land – but in a more just and traditional manner.

Charles does the unthinkable

Charles believed he could regain his power by arresting the radical leaders and punishing them as traitors.In 1642, he lead a 500 soldier army into the House of Commons (parliament) – which was against the law – and tried to arrest the radicals. Forewarned, the radicals escaped, and parliament called for an army of their own. Charles had, in an attempt to regain his absolute power, kick started a civil war in Britain.