England’s Road to a Constitutional Monarchy

James I r. 1603-1625 Problems he faced Large royal debt He wasn’t English  he didn’t understand English customs [esp. English law!] Believed in Divine Right Pro-Catholic sympathies Clashed with Parliament He raised money without Parliament’s consent! Son of Mary, Queen of Scots Retains Episcopal System over Presbyterianism and Puritanism

James I’s speech to the House of Commons: I am surprised that my ancestors should ever be permitted such an institution to come into existence. I am a stranger, and found it here when I arrived, so that I am obliged to put up with what I cannot get rid of!

He alienated the Puritans by his strong defense of the Anglican Church. Many of England’s gentry [mostly rich landowners below the level of the nobility] became Puritans. These Puritan gentry formed an important and large part of the House of Commons. It was NOT WISE to alienate them! Revision of the Book of Common Prayer King James version of the Bible Opposed b/c of religious, taxation and foreign policies

Gunpowder Plot, 1605 An attempt by some provincial Catholics to kill King James I and most of the Protestant aristocracy. Blow up the House of Lords during the state opening of Parliament. Catholics thought that James would be more sympathetic than Elizabeth since his mother was Catholic. Plot to kill king led to --Conspirators stored barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords, Guy Fawkes was caught, tortured, and executed. Guy Fawkes

King James Bible, 1611

Charles I r. 1625-1649

Charles I and The Petition of Rights, 1628 In return for money to fund his wars, Charles I agreed: No imprisonment without due cause. No taxation without Parliament’s consent. No putting soldiers in private homes. No martial law during peacetime. Charles signed it, and then ignored it, dissolving Parliament! Habeas corpus FIRST MODIFICATION TO AND UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION

Archbishop William Laud English prelate who as archbishop of Canterbury (1633–1645) supported Charles I and absolutism in church and state. His attempts to impose High Church doctrine on Protestants in Scotland and England led to his execution for treason by Parliament Great Migration to America

Charles I & Parliament Constantly at war with Spain and France. Usually Parliament would give Charles £ from taxes to fund his wars. Periodically, Parliament would deny funds.

The “Short” Parliament No Parliament in 20 yrs. Rebellion in Scotland over Laud issues. Charles need £ war with France. Calls Parliament into session in 1640 MPs demand more protection of property. Charles dismisses them after 3 weeks. Denies right of Parliament’s authority to curb his divine right—imprisons opponents, illegally raises money, strengthens Star Chamber Court, antagonizes Puritans, Call Short Parliament to raise money for rebellion in Scotland Charles I by Van Dyck (1633)

The “Long” Parliament In session from 1640 to 1660. Laud executed. Triennial Act passed  Parliament must be called in session at least once every 3 yrs. Parliament can’t be adjourned without its own consent! Charles enters the House of Commons to end the session and arrest 5 MPs unsuccessful Charles heads north to form an army! Long Parliament—guaranteed regular meetings, dissolved Star Chamber Court, limited monarch’s ability to raise money Under the leadership of John Pym Parliament adopted the Grand Remonstrance was a list of 204 grievances, mostly religious, against King Charles I of England. It reflected the mistrust of the King by Parliament. It only passed the House of Commons by 11 votes Triennial Act—assured Parliament a place in constitution, common law over Roman law, limited monarchy

The Civil War (1642-1649)

Civil War (1642-1649) Royalists (Cavaliers) Parliamentarians (Roundheads) House of Lords N & W England Aristocracy Large landowners Church officials More rural House of Commons S & E England Puritans Merchants Townspeople More urban

English Civil War 1642-1646 Attempt to arrest Puritan Leaders leads to civil war Cavaliers-Royalists Roundheads-Puritans Oliver Cromwell New Model Army Marston Moor 1643 Scots for the Roundheads in exchange for Presbyterianism becoming official English religion Cromwell defeats Cavaliers at Marston Moor Only three major battles—Edgehill, Marston Moor, and Naseby War unpopular even at the beginning—forced people to choose between king and Parliament but people wanted to honor both No revolutionaries before the war but some produced by the war

Oliver Cromwell [1599-1658] Officer of the Parliamentary army [cavalry]  the New Model Army. Led the army that defeated royal forces and now controlled the government. He wore…a plain cloth-suit, which seemed to have been made by a poor tailor; his shirt was plain, and not very clean; and I remember a speck or two of blood upon his collar…his face was swollen and red, his voice sharp and untenable, and his speech full of passion. [Sir Philip Warwick, a Royalist, 1640]

The English Civil War: 1642-1645

The Battle of Naseby [re-enactment], 1645 Charles I is defeated at Marston Moor, Naseby, and Preston. He is handed over to Parliament.

The Interregnum (1649-1660)

The “Interregnum” Period [1649-1660] Rump Parliament Execution of Charles I Scottish revolt Power with army Establishment of Commonwealth Commonwealth 1649-1653 Puritan Rule Lord Protector The Commonwealth (1649-1653) The Protectorate (1654-1660)

Pride’s Purge, 1648 This was the Parliament which took control of England after the execution of Charles I in 1649. It was called the "rump" because it consisted of those who remained after the pro-royalist members of the "Long Parliament" (which had been recalled by Charles I in 1640) had been expelled. It was abolished in 1653 when Oliver Cromwell overthrew it by force. Commonwealth—does away with monarchy and House of Lords; one house Parliament with supreme power, Irish Catholic uprising crushed Cromwell purges the House of Commons of moderates [anyone who isn’t anti-monarchy]. The results is the “Rump” Parliament.

Regicide  Beheading of Charles I, 1649 The vote by the Rump Parliament was 68-67.

The Puritan Commonwealth [1649-1653] Cromwell rules with the Rump Parliament. Constitutional Republic Europe is appalled  other nations don’t recognize it. Constitutional Republic Created a constitution  Instrument of Government An executive [Cromwell] A Council of State  annually elected the committee of Parliament. No monarch.

The Protectorate [1653-1660] Cromwell tears up the ineffective Constitution. Dismisses the Rump Parliament and rules with the support of the military. Declares martial law. Military dictator. Religious tolerance for all [esp. for Jews], except for Catholics. Crushes a rebellion in Scotland. Crushes a rebellion among the Catholics of Ireland  kills 40% of all ethnic Irish!

by Catholics in Ireland % Of Land Owned by Catholics in Ireland

Cromwell—Lord Protector or King?? England longs for an end to martial law! Cromwell dies in 1658 and his son, Richard, takes over, but is weak and lasts for only two years.

This was the most important lesson of the English Civil War! The Restoration (1660-1688) Parliament could no more exist without the Crown than the Crown without Parliament. This was the most important lesson of the English Civil War!

Charles II r. 1660-1685 Return of Stuart king Constitutional Monarchy Pledges to support Magna Carta and Petition of Right Constitutional Monarchy 1640 Acts of Parliament Test Act 1673-bans all Catholics from holding public office Does not resolve issues between Parliament and the King Cavalier Parliament restores Anglicanism 1662—Clarendon Code—Act of Uniformity, Corporation Act, Convertile Act, Five Mile Act Parliament tries to pass Exclusion Act forbidding James II from succeeding Two parties form—Tories [king and Anglicanism] and Whigs [Parliament and Protestantism]

Had charm, poise, & political skills [unlike his father!]. Restored the theaters and reopened the pubs and brothels closed during the Restoration. Favored religious toleration. Had secret Catholic sympathies. Realized that he could not repeat the mistakes his father had made.

1661  “Cavalier” Parliament [filled with Royalists] Disbanded the Puritan army. Pardoned most Puritan rebels. Restored the authority of the Church of England. 1662  Clarendon Code [Act of Uniformity] All clergy & church officials had to conform to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. It forbade “non-conformists” to worship publicly, teach their faith, or attend English universities.

Great London Plague, 1665

Great London Fire, 1666

1673  Test Act 1679  Habeas Corpus Act Parliament excluded all but Anglicans from civilian and military positions. [to the Anglican gentry, the Puritans were considered “radicals” and the Catholics were seen as “traitors!”] 1679  Habeas Corpus Act Any unjustly imprisoned persons could obtain a writ of habeas corpus compelling the govt. to explain why he had lost his liberty.

James II 1685-1688 Openly Catholic Relaxes religious restrictions Protestant daughters—Mary and Anne Birth of son [Catholic] Whigs and Tories invite William and Mary

The Glorious Revolution 1688

William and Mary Invades Ireland Ireland rebellion led by James II, deprived Irish of land, Ireland made a colony Working towards unification with Scotland—by 1707 occurs 1701—Act of Settlement—only Protestants could take throne

The “Glorious” Revolution: 1688 Whig & Tory leaders offered the throne jointly to James II’s daughter Mary [raised a Protestant] & her husband, William of Orange. He was a vigorous enemy of Louis XIV. He was seen as a champion of the Protestant cause. Nearly bloodless James II flees to France W & M swear to abide by Parliament decisions Bill of Rights—Parl. had right to tax, make laws, stop king from raising army, established an elective monarchy

English Bill of Rights [1689] It settled all of the major issues between King & Parliament. It served as a model for the U. S. Bill of Rights. It also formed a base for the steady expansion of civil liberties in the 18c and early 19c in England.

English Bill of Rights [1689] Main provisions: The King could not suspend the operation of laws. The King could not interfere with the ordinary course of justice. No taxes levied or standard army maintained in peacetime without Parliament’s consent. Freedom of speech in Parliament. Sessions of Parliament would be held frequently. Subjects had the right of bail, petition, and freedom from excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment. The monarch must be a Protestant. Freedom from arbitrary arrest. Censorship of the press was dropped. Religious toleration.