Political Conflicts in Caroline England, 1625-40

Character of the KingUpbringing; Marriage;

Buckingham

The Early Years1625: Buckingham’s

FailuresFinancial Issues

1626: Mounting OppositionParliament

1628: The Petition of Right1629: Constitutional Stand-

Off

The Personal Rule; or, 11 Years Tyranny

Financial PoliciesLegal IssuesRelations in Ireland &

Scotland

Charles, by Anthony van Dyck, c. 1635“Charles I was a Cavalier King and therefore had a small pointed beard, long

flowing curls, a large, flat, flowing hat and gay attire. The Roundheads, on the other hand, were clean-shaven and wore tall, conical hats, white ties and sombre garments. Under these circumstances a Civil War was inevitable.” 1066 and All That.

Character of the KingUpbringing

Linguistic, Physical DifficultiesHeir from 1612, Death of HenryEducation, Gov’t ExperienceMother Anna & Catholicism

MarriageSpanish Match (Aid to Sister)

Growing Self-Confidence, Emotion

Formality of Spanish CourtHenrietta Maria, sister of King Louis XIII

Diplomatic Swing away from Spain

BuckinghamShared Experience in SpainStaying in Favor with StuartsClose Friends w/ CharlesMarriage Negotiations with France

Charles, 1635, by Anthony van Dyck; Royal Collection

The Early Years1625: Buckingham’s Failures

Parliament (2 Sessions, Lon. & Ox.)Financial Issues (Funding War)Tonnage and PoundageFailure at Cadiz, Oct-Dec. ‘25Wary of Concessions to Catholics

1626: Mounting OppositionParliament (1 Session)Funding War; Excluding ObstaclesSheriffs (Edward Coke)New Leaders: John Eliot & Dudley

DiggesVs. Buckingham on All CountsMove to Impeach BuckinghamOpposition ImprisonedForced Loans, Impositions Continue

Coke, 1629, by John Payne

Early Years, Con’t1628: The Petition of Right

Parliament (2 Sessions)Finance & BuckinghamOpposition to Forced Loan, BilletingFailed Expedition to La Rochelle, ’27Coke, Eliot; John Selden, Thos.

WentworthVs. Imprisonment, Taxation, Martial LawBlame Centered on BuckinghamEventually Charles Agrees; Taxes

Granted

Assassination of Buckingham, August ‘28John Felton, Veteran & Victim of Buck.General Rejoice in the Kingdom

1629: Constitutional Stand-OffPetition Violated; T&PSpeaker Held Down, Grievances ReadMPs Arrested; Parliament Dissolved

The Petition exhibited to His Majesty . . .

The Personal Rule; or, 11 Years TyrannyFrench Model of Louis XIIIMarch 1629 to April 1640

Financial PoliciesNeed for Peace w/ Spain & FranceNeed for Innovative Tax Measures

Ship Money; Inland, ‘35

Legal IssuesJudges Siding with KingOld Laws Dug Up: Fines as Revenue

Relations in Ireland & The Earl of StraffordWentworth’s Royal Arm vs. Liberties

Alienating the ScotsCoronation, ’33; Religious

Innovations, ‘37Extent of Ship Money, 1636; Note the Midlands