What was the Personal Rule? | Part Two | English Civil War

Summary

This transcript discusses the reign of King Charles I of England, focusing on his efforts to raise money without Parliament's consent, starting in 1630. Charles used unpopular methods like fining those absent from his coronation, reviving old forest laws, and extending the ship money levy. These financial pressures, combined with his attempts to reintroduce traditional religious practices, sparked fears of a return to Catholicism. When a rebellion in Scotland forced him to recall Parliament in 1640, tensions escalated, leading to deteriorating relations between the crown and Parliament, ultimately threatening Charles' rule.

Takeaways

• 📜 The principle that kings couldn't raise taxes without the consent of the governed dates back to the Magna Carta of 1215.
• 👑 Over time, this principle evolved into the idea that only Parliament could raise taxes, a body King Charles I decided to bypass.
• 💰 To fund his war against Spain, King Charles I turned to unpopular financial methods, including fines and reviving ancient forest laws.
• ⚖️ From 1630, the government fined gentlemen who had been absent from the coronation, raising £170,000 for the King.
• 🌳 Charles also fined those who violated ancient forest laws and sold monopolies, leading to higher prices during a time of economic hardship.
• 🚢 The most unpopular move was the attempt to extend the 'ship money' levy, traditionally only applied to coastal areas, to the entire country.
• ⛪ Religious liberties were also threatened as Charles and Archbishop William Laud attempted to restore traditional practices, sparking fears of a return to Catholicism.
• 🏴 The rebellion in Scotland, prompted by the imposition of a new prayer book, forced Charles to raise an army, which he could not afford without Parliament.
• 📅 Parliament was briefly recalled in 1640 but quickly dissolved due to conflicts over the King’s personal rule and taxation policies.
• 📜 When Parliament reconvened later that year, it passed the Grand Remonstrance, a list of grievances against the King’s personal rule, leading to further deterioration in relations between the Crown and Parliament.

Q & A

What was the principal established by the Magna Carta regarding taxes?

The Magna Carta established the principle that kings could not raise taxes without the consent of the governed, a concept which evolved over time to mean that only Parliament could approve taxes.

Why did King Charles I need to find new ways to raise money?

King Charles I needed money to continue his war against Spain but was unable to raise taxes without Parliament's consent, so he resorted to unpopular methods to generate revenue.

What was one method Charles I used to raise money from the gentry?

In 1630, the government fined gentlemen who had not attended Charles’s coronation and were worth at least 40 pounds per year, which raised 170,000 pounds.

How did Charles I use ancient forest laws to generate income?

Charles I revived ancient forest laws and fined individuals who violated these laws through special forest courts, thereby raising additional revenue.

What were monopolies, and how did they affect consumers during Charles I's rule?

Monopolies were exclusive rights sold by the King to control the trade of certain domestic goods, which drove up prices for consumers, exacerbating financial strain during a period of rising food prices and falling wages.

Why was the ship money levy particularly unpopular under Charles I?

The ship money levy, traditionally imposed on coastal communities during emergencies, was extended inland by Charles I and made permanent, causing widespread resentment.

How did religious policies under Charles I contribute to discontent?

Charles I, along with Archbishop William Laud, attempted to reintroduce ceremonies and traditional practices, which some viewed as a move toward restoring Catholicism, creating fear and opposition.

What triggered the rebellion in Scotland during Charles I’s reign?

A rebellion in Scotland was triggered by Charles I's imposition of a new prayer book, which caused widespread dissatisfaction and resistance.

Why did Charles I recall Parliament in 1640 after dissolving it earlier?

Charles I recalled Parliament in 1640 because he needed funds to raise an army to suppress the rebellion in Scotland, which he could not finance on his own.

What was the Grand Remonstrance, and how did it affect relations between the crown and Parliament?

The Grand Remonstrance was a document passed by the House of Commons listing complaints about Charles I's personal rule. Its passage further deteriorated relations between the crown and Parliament.