1. Don’t Lose Your Head!

2. Directions:
You are going to assume the role of England’s King Charles I. It is a very troubling time and the people are very nervous. You need to make good decisions because for every bad decision you make you push your people closer to Civil War-which ultimately will cost you your head.
You will be given a series of choices. After you’ve made your choice, you will be told what the resulting consequences were. If you make a decision that pushed your nation closer to war, you will need to color in a portion of the head on your work sheet. The goal is . . .
Don’t Lose Your Head!

3. Attitude Toward Parliament
It is You have just become King, and it is time to make your first speech to Parliament. You realize that Parliament is very important for your power, because it raises money for you in the form of taxes.
Crowds cheer as you make your way into the Palace of Westminster, dressed in all your robes of state. All of Parliament stands up as you enter, and you take your seat at the far end of the Chamber. Everyone sits down and waits in silence to hear what you have to say.
What is the main message of your speech likely to be?
“I have been chosen by God to rule this country, and it is the duty of Parliament to obey my orders so that the country can be strong and united.
B. “I have been given this job by the people of my Kingdom, and I plan to reach all my decisions after discussing the options with Parliament – even if this means that things get done more slowly.”

4. Attitude Toward Parliament
Choice A: Parliament is outraged by your speech!!! They fear you will ignore Parliament and rule as an Absolute Monarch!!!
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 30%.
Choice B: Parliament is impressed by your speech. You seem to be a King that respects the limits of his power. The chances for Civil War do not rise at all.
What really happened?
Charles said he had been chosen by God to rule and that it was the duty of Parliament to obey his orders. This caused serious tension between the King and Parliament.

5. Religious Conflict: Royal Marriage
It is Following your speech to Parliament, you get down to the everyday business of government, which you find very tiring. Your thoughts turn to marriage.
What will you do?
“Since my country has broken with the Catholic church, I’ll marry an English Protestant, so that Parliament can see that I am reliable and trustworthy.”
“Even though my country is no longer Catholic I’ll marry a French Catholic, so that Parliament can see that I am friendly to all religious and countries.”

6. Religious Conflict: Royal Marriage
Choice A: This is the most sensible option. The Catholic countries won’t be very happy, but at least your own Parliament will be convinced that you will protect the Church of England. The chances for Civil War do not rise at all.
Choice B: Parliament is outraged that their King is marrying a CATHOLIC! They are suspicious that you may secretly be a Catholic yourself.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 20%.
What really happened?
Charles married a FRENCH CATHOLIC! This was not popular at all. The new Queen’s name was Henrietta Maria.

7. Petition of Right
It is Following a disastrous war with the Spanish, Parliament produces the Petition of Right. This made it illegal for the king to do the following: give taxes without permission, imprision people without a trial, force people to quarter soldiers, or take people’s rights away for no reason.
You initially refuse to sign but it becomes clear that if you do not sign then Parliament will not be willing to give you any more money. What do you do?
Sign, but ignore it completely afterwards – in this way Parliament will feel successful but you will keep all your power.
Sign, and stick by it – Parliament represents the people and you need them on your side.
Send in your troops and make it clear that you will not be bullied by Parliament.

8. Petition of Right
Choice A: Parliament soon realizes that you will not stick to the Petition. They are not very happy with your two-faced ways!!!
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 20%.
Choice B: Many people are surprised that you gave in so easily, but Parliament is overjoyed! It seems you have managed to avoid leading the country any closer to war.
Choice C: This angers that Parliament. You appear unreasonable and aggressive to everyone!!!
What really happened?
Charles signed the petition of Right, but was not going to stick to it. Parliament decided that Charles was not to be trusted.

9. Economic Problems: Ship Money
It is You are fed up with Parliament trying to boss you around, and you have dissolved it. However, you still need the money which Parliament usually gives you, and so you decide to raise some Ship Money. This is a tax which is usually paid by towns on the coast during a war so that ships can be built to protect them.
Where shall you impose Ship Money?
Coastal counties. I won’t raise much, but I also won’t annoy too many!
Coastal counties and inland counties everywhere. That way, I’ll raise loads of cash!
Coastal counties first, then inland counties later. In this way I won’t risk annoying so many people at the same time!

10. Economic Problems: Ship Money
Choice A: The coastal towns are angry about the tax since the country isn’t even at war.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 15%.
Choice B: The people are so outraged!!! It is quite clear to the public that this is just an easy way for you to raise money without having to go to Parliament.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 20%.
Choice C: It makes sense to introduce the policy and see how people react, however; this upsets the people. The inland countries think it is unfair because ships are not going to help them.
What really happened?
Charles imposed Ship Money first on coastal counties, then on inland counties. People were angered by this because the country was not at war. Also, inland counties didn’t really need the ships to protect them.

11. Control of Army
It is Not only are you fighting Scotland who invaded after you forced them to adopt England’s religion, now you’re also faced with an Irish Rebellion. You’re forced to call parliament to pay for troops needed to defeat your enemies. You are shocked when they tell you they will not trust an army to your command and insist that Parliament be allowed to be the commander in chief as the military.
What is your reply?
Give in to their demands. It is important the country gets back to normal, whatever the cost to me.
Send troops to arrest the outspoken members of Parliament who are challenging your power, you must show them you are still the boss!

12. Control of Army
Choice A: This is probably the best you can do given the circumstances, although it is only making Parliament more arrogant.
The likelihood of Civil War rises by 15%.
Choice B: By refusing to give in you may hold on to your pride, but it means any chance for a compromise is over. This will lead to Civil War!!! Get ready to roll your head that is… (color in the rest of your head)
What really happened?
Charles refused to give up control of the army. When he sent his army to arrest several members of parliament; however, they were able to escape before their arrest and they formed a military to fight the hated king..
In August 1642, Charles appealed to all loyal subjects to join him in a war against Parliament. This was the beginning of the English Civil War. Charles loses the war and is executed by parliament