The Stuart Dynasty and Charles I

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Questions and Answers

What was the percentage of the population that died due to casualties in the civil war?

4.1%

3.6% (correct)

5.0%

2.2%

What form of government was established in England during the Commonwealth period?

Parliamentary republic (correct)

Military dictatorship

Absolute monarchy

Federal government

Which of the following was NOT a consequence of Cromwell's rule?

Restoration of the monarchy in 1660

Suppression of Christmas celebrations

Establishment of a written constitution

Opening of theatres (correct)

Which year did Cromwell rule without Parliament, marking the beginning of military rule in Britain?

1655 Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the end of the Commonwealth period?

Restoration of Charles II Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the £913, 10 shillings payment ordered by the Treasurer?

To pay for embroidery work for Queen Mary Signup and view all the answers

Which action by King Charles I led to increased discontent among Puritans?

The appointment of William Laud Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Second Bishops’ War?

The establishment of the Long Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What year was the Grand Remonstrance presented to King Charles I?

1641 Signup and view all the answers

Which document was a pivotal expression of grievances over taxes and religion during Charles I's reign?

A petition sent to Charles in 1640 Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Covenanters during the 1638 conflict?

They opposed the Book of Common Prayer's implementation Signup and view all the answers

What did King Charles I attempt to do that sparked unrest in England, Scotland, and Ireland?

Anglicize religious practices Signup and view all the answers

Which figure is depicted as a satirical enemy of William Laud in broadsheets of the time?

Henry Burton Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable consequence of the Civil War that began in 1642?

A significant alliance was formed between the Scottish Covenanters and the English Parliament. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the leading figure of the Parliamentary army during the Civil War?

Oliver Cromwell Signup and view all the answers

Which battle is noted for the significant victory of Parliament in 1645?

Battle of Naseby Signup and view all the answers

What was the New Model Army known for?

Being highly professionalized and disciplined Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the execution of Charles I in 1649?

His attempts to maintain unlimited power over Parliament Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following regions was primarily under the control of King Charles I during the First Civil War?

North of England, Wales, and Cornwall Signup and view all the answers

What political change occurred after the second Civil War in 1648?

Formation of the Rump Parliament Signup and view all the answers

Which commander played a pivotal role alongside Oliver Cromwell in leading the New Model Army?

Thomas Fairfax Signup and view all the answers

What belief did Charles I strongly adhere to during his reign?

Divine Right Monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Charles I take between 1629 and 1640 concerning Parliament?

He ruled without summoning Parliament. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups contained members who played an important civic role in the governance of Charles I's England?

The Parliament MPs Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of Charles I's extravagant expenditures?

Growing discontent among landowners Signup and view all the answers

Who painted the portrait of Charles I that is significant to the historical context?

Anthony van Dyck Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Charles I summon Parliament to raise money after a long absence?

1640 Signup and view all the answers

What role did nobles and gentry play in the Parliament during Charles I's reign?

Collecting taxes for the King Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key issues that led to the Civil War during Charles I's reign?

Taxes imposed without consent Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

### The Stuart Dynasty

Charles I, son of James I (Jacobean era - 1603-1625), became King in 1625
Charles I fervently believed in the ‘Divine Right Monarchy’ as the legitimate source of his political power
Charles I ruled three kingdoms: England, Ireland, and Scotland

### Parliament and the King's power

The Monarch's power was immense, yet partly limited by Parliament
Important nobles and officials were close to the King, forming his court
Parliament consisted of nobles and gentry (MPs), who collected the King's taxes
Parliament comprised rich landowners, smaller landowners, and few rich merchants
Parliament played an important civic role: magistrates and police forces were appointed by the King
The King required the agreement of MPs to raise funds
Charles I ruled without summoning Parliament for eleven years (1629-1640)
Charles I summoned Parliament in 1640 to raise money, but his extravagant spending angered the MPs

### The King's expenditures

The King's spending and the costs of the court were a major cause of discontent
The King’s spending on royal garments was particularly controversial, for example, a bill for embroidering royal gowns in 1627

### The 'Eleven Years Tyranny'

Charles I's time as ruler without Parliament was widely seen as a period of tyranny or ‘the eleven years tyranny’
Charles I was criticized for imposing monopolies and patents, which controlled trade and increased revenue
He also introduced new customs duties to boost his income
Charles I appointed William Laud as Archbishop of Canterbury, who sought to reform the Anglican church

### Puritan Discontent

Puritans, hard-line Protestants, were unhappy with Laud’s reforms
Puritans like Henry Burton and William Prynne were leading figures in the opposition to Laud
Many preachers were punished by Laud for their opposition to his religious reforms

### Scotland and the Church of Scotland

Scotland had its own Presbyterian Church (Kirk)
Charles I attempted to introduce the Book of Common Prayer in all three kingdoms (England, Scotland, and Ireland) to impose a standard and more ‘English’ religious practice
Scots resisted this effort, fearing that their own church was being suppressed
The Signing of the National Covenant in Edinburgh in 1638 marked a turning point in Scottish resistance

### The Second Bishops’ War

The Scots invaded the North of England in the Second Bishops’ War
The King’s army was defeated, and the King needed more money to end the conflict
Parliament was summoned in 1641 to address the war and financial crisis, but the Long Parliament would continue to sit until 1660

### Londoners and the Petition of Grievances

Londoners were politically active and included many Puritans who wanted major reforms
A petition was sent to Charles I in 1640, expressing grievances over taxes and religion, highlighting growing public discontent
The publication of the petition and the circulation of grievances demonstrates the developing public opinion in England

### The Grand Remonstrance

The ‘Grand Remonstrance’ was a document presented to Charles I by Puritan MPs in December 1641
The Grand Remonstrance sought to limit the King's powers
Charles I refused the remonstrance and tried to have the MPs arrested
The King left for York, and propaganda war, between Cavaliers and Roundheads, began in response to the attempted arrest of the MPs
The English Civil War began in 1642

### The First Civil War

The First Civil War lasted from 1642 to 1646
The Parliamentary army fought against the Royalist army
Parliament controlled major ports, including London, while the King controlled the North of England, Wales, and Cornwall
English Parliamentaries allied with Scottish Covenanters to counter the Royalist army

### The New Model Army

Parliament improved its army by ‘professionalizing’ it
The New Model Army (22,000 men) was created and supervised by Thomas Fairfax
Oliver Cromwell was a key figure in the success of the Parliament's army, becoming a leading figure of the Parliamentarians

### The Battle of Naseby

Cromwell’s success at the Battle of Naseby in June 1645 marked a decisive victory for the Parliamentarians
Cromwell was a minor country landowner who became an elected Puritan MP for Cambridge in 1640
Cromwell became Commander of the New Model Army in 1647

### The Second Civil War

The Second Civil War took place in 1648
The King secured the support of the Scots from the Isle of Wight
The Scots invaded England in the summer of 1648; Royalists in the south of England also launched an attack on the Parliamentarians
Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax defeated both the Scots and the Royalists
The radical MPs who remained in Parliament (known as the Rump Parliament) and the New Model Army seized power

### The Execution of Charles I

In 1649, the Rump Parliament condemned Charles I to death for attempting to ‘uphold in himself an unlimited and tyrannical power to rule according to his will, and to overthrow the rights and liberties of the people’
Charles I was executed in 1649
Images of the execution were suppressed in England but circulated on the Continent

### The Casualties and Effects of the Civil Wars

The civil war resulted in the death of 180,000 people (3.6% of the population)
The civil war was a nightmare for civilians as men were forced into the army
This period saw widespread plundering and destruction
The turmoil of the civil war impacted the number of witchcraft trials

### The Commonwealth of England

The UK was ruled as a republic for ten years (1649 – 1660), known as the Commonwealth of England
The monarchy and Privy Council were abolished and replaced by Parliament and a Council of State, the latter elected each year
Cromwell introduced a written constitution in 1653
Cromwell became Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland
The period saw the persecution of Catholics and the adoption of Puritan lines, with theaters closed, sports banned, and Christmas celebration suppressed

### Cromwell’s Rule

Cromwell ruled without Parliament from 1655 onwards
Britain was under military rule for most of Cromwell’s period in power
Cromwell’s rule became gradually unpopular as his leadership became increasingly tyrannical
As Lord Protector, Cromwell ruled until his death in 1658

### The Restoration of the Monarchy

The monarchy was restored in 1660, ushering in the return of the Stuart dynasty
Charles II was crowned in Westminster Abbey on 23 April 1661, ending 11 years of Commonwealth rule

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Description

This quiz delves into the reign of Charles I and the dynamics between the monarchy and Parliament during the Stuart Dynasty. Explore key events, the King's belief in Divine Right Monarchy, and his relationship with Parliament which included significant challenges and conflicts. Test your knowledge on this pivotal era in British history!