Charles The First Of England - War and Defeat
Created | Updated Dec 1, 2014
A Battle Of Wills
Elizabeth I was the last monarchs who held the reigns of power firmly in her hands. James was different he had developed a strong belief in the divine right of kings, as God’s appointed and anointed leader.
This was to start the process of decline of the power of the English monarchy. James who firmly believed that, God makes kings, and God is never wrong, so a king appointed by God is never wrong. This tenet was known as the divine right of kings.
The Parliament of the period did not assemble regularly, it was called at the monarchs command as it was required. This meant the Parliament as was called at the kings will and it was expected to do as James told it was. The Parliament was an assembly similar to the Roman Senate to advise and support the king, enact the laws, pass taxes and administer the country in the name of the monarch. And do as the king told it and not to argue against the Royal will.
James was however at an enormous disadvantage James needed Parliament more than Parliament needed him. They controlled the finances of the realm and they could keep and could keep James short of much needed funds.
An example of their power to make life difficult for James came in 1611. Custom duties of the realm formed a substantial part of the kings income. Parliament had originally granted the crown permission to collect this duty, it revoked this in an attempt to bring the king to heal. James responded by dissolving Parliament without the mandate of Parliament had no power to assemble. This engaged parliamentary members who regarded it as their legitimate duty to run England. It was a serious matter as James was to keep this suspension in force for 10 years. It ended with James reluctantly issuing a summons of assembly in November 1620, due to a serious shortage of Royal funds1.
The kings Privy Council was made up of some the most powerful men in the country. They were appointed to deal with the kings day to day business and were given the task of governing as best they could. James simply took over the administration of the country appointing members of the nobility to assist him. They actually made a reasonable job of it and the country functioned well, it was to lead to trouble later.
.But this engaged parliamentary members who regarded it as their legitimate duty to run England.
19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625 25 July 1603
Causes of War
War
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- By issuing grants of monopoly.
- The sale of titles and knighthoods no one refused the offered honour.
- The sale Dutch Towns of Brill and Flushing in 1616.
- The dowry bride for Prince Charles of £500,000.
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