Absolutism in England

Background When Queen Elizabeth dies, there is no heir to the English throne Throne must go to a Stuart cousin from Scotland Who was Queen Elizabeth’s father? Was from the Tudor line, now switches to Stuart line

James I James I takes the English throne Agrees to rule according to English rules & customs Believes in divine right Must deal with dissenters Bible is translated into King James Version (still exists today) Agrees to rule to customs, but does not, Parliament does not like him. Wants money all the time. Makes decisions without consent

Charles I Takes throne after death of his father, James I Absolute monarch Parliament wants him to sign the Petition of Right This petition prohibited the king from raising taxes without the consent of Parliament Prohibited imprisonment without just cause Why would parliament want him to sign this petition so badly?

Charles I cont’d. Charles signs the petition, but dissolves Parliament Ruled for 11 years without calling parliament into session Eventually, Charles I needs money Parliament controls the $, so has to call back into session.

Parliament & Charles I Parliament reconvenes and tries and executes the King’s Chief Administrators Abolish bishops in the Church of England Charles sends troops to the House of Commons to arrest members Parliament members escape & raise their own army Parliament tries to get revenge in policies. This starts the English Civil war.

English Civil War Cavaliers Support King Charles Are wealthy nobles Trained in warfare The Cavaliers were predicted to win.

English Civil War Roundheads Hair cut in a bowl cut Country folk Mostly Puritan Lead by Oliver Cromwell

English Civil War The Roundheads defeat the Cavaliers King Charles I is executed This is the First time that a monarch in Europe has been executed by its own people. Why is this so important? Do you think that the other monarch are going to feel secure in their positions now?

England without a king House of Commons names England a Commonwealth under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell Abolishes monarchy Abolishes the House of Lords Abolishes the official Church of England Why would they abolish the Church of England- too much like Catholic church

England under Cromwell Supporters of Charles I start rebellions in Ireland Cromwell puts down rebellion & enforces strict rules on Catholics Cromwell welcomes Jews back into England after 350 years of exile Why do you think Cromwell is hard on Catholics, but not on the Jews?

Puritan beliefs Parliament enforces strict laws that reflect Puritan beliefs Laws passed that closed theatres & pubs But, the Puritans did promote literacy Wanted all Christians to be able to read the Bible

Cromwell dies The time of Oliver Cromwell is referred to as the “Kingless Decade” Puritans lose their influence in England People tired of the strictness

The Restoration After Cromwell dies, Parliament lets Charles II take the throne Charles II reopens theatres and taverns Has a court like Louis XIV If he has a court like Louis XIV, what kind of court would that be?

Charles II cont’d. Restores the Church of England Tolerant of other Protestants Held the same attitudes of his father about the Catholic Church and divine right, but was smart enough not to show it

James II Inherits throne after Charles II dies James II flaunts his Catholic faith People fear that he will restore the Catholic Church in England

The Glorious Revolution Parliament invites James’ daughter Mary & her husband to come to England and take the throne When William & Mary come to England, James II flees to france This bloodless overthrow of a King is called the Glorious Revolution William & Mary are living in Orange France

English Bill of Rights William & Mary had to accept or could not rule Stated that Parliament must be called regularly The House of Commons controlled the money Barred Roman Catholics from being on the throne Restated traditional rights of English citizens Trial by jury Habeas corpus- to be held in prison must be first charged with crime

Absolutism in England With William and Mary’s acceptance of the English Bill of Rights, this began England’s limited monarchy