Political Instability under the Stuarts

1. 1603-1642 Political Instability under the Stuarts

2. Discuss Friedman, pp. 115-156 • According to the pamphlets, what were the main threats posed by… • Catholics • Turks • Jews • What did the pamphlets have to say about… • Alcohol • Tobacco & Spanish Tobacco • Prostitution

3. Timeline for Increased Opposition to the Crown • 1603: James VI of the Scotland becomes James I of England • 1609: James lectures Parliament on his divine prerogative • 1623: James appoints his lover as Duke of Buckingham • 1625: Charles I becomes king and marries a Catholic • 1628: Parliament draft Petition of Right, limiting taxation, incarceration and troop billeting • 1630s: the monarchy taxes by expanding legal authority

5. Cromwell sold Church lands during 1530s and 1540s

7. The vision of the Northeast Passage

12. Queen Elizabeth as Gloriannac. 1588

13. London merchants were increasingly attracted to Puritan beliefs during the late 1500s and early 1600s

15. Discuss Social Revolutions • What made merchants appreciate the nature of authority offered by Protestantism? • How did print offer a form of authority that threatened monarchs? • What were the political implications of the growing wealth of the gentry? • Why were members of the gentry likely to support parliamentary rights over the rights of the monarchy?

16. James I • Son of Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots) • Ruled England 1603-25 • Wrote Concerning the Divine Right of Kings • Engaged in ideological quarrel with Sir Edward Coke over prerogative courts • His favorite, the Duke of Buckingham undermined his popularity

17. James wrote his book on royal power in 1598, five years before becoming king of England.He recited parts of the book in his speeches to Parliament in 1609

18. The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth, for kings are not only God's lieutenants upon earth and sit upon God's throne, but even by God himself they are called gods. There be three principal [comparisons] that illustrate the state of monarchy: one taken out of the word of God, and the two other out of the grounds of policy and philosophy. In the Scriptures kings are called gods, and so their power after a certain relation compared to the Divine power. Kings are also compared to fathers of families; for a king is truly parens patriae [parent of the country], the politic father of his people. And lastly, kings are compared to the head of this microcosm of the body of man

19. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (6) For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

20. I conclude then this point touching the power of kings with this axiom of divinity, That as to dispute what God may do is blasphemy....so is it sedition in subjects to dispute what a king may do in the height of his power. But just kings will ever be willing to declare what they will do, if they will not incur the curse of God. I will not be content that my power be disputed upon; but I shall ever be willing to make the reason appear of all my doings, and rule my actions according to my laws. . . I would wish you to be careful to avoid three things in the matter of grievances:

21. First, that you do not meddle with the main points of government; that is my craft . . . to meddle with that were to lesson me . . . I must not be taught my office. Secondly, I would not have you meddle with such ancient rights of mine as I have received from my predecessors . . . . All novelties are dangerous as well in a politic as in a natural body. and therefore I would be loath to be quarreled in my ancient rights and possessions, for that were to judge me unworthy of that which my predecessors had and left me.

22. Edward Coke, 1552-1634 • Champion of Common Law & opposed to Stuarts’ support of royal prerogative • Author of the Petition of Right, 1628 • Rival of Francis Bacon

23. George Villiers Duke of Buckingham 1592-1628

24. Puritans

26. Charles I • Maintained a lifelong devotion to the divine right of kings • Even his advocates considered him less than brilliant and lacking people skills • By Van Dyck, 1635

27. Henrietta MariaCatholic Queen to Charles I

28. Archbishop William Laud1633-45

29. What factors undermined the prestige of the monarchy during the late 1500s & early 1600s? • Growth of Puritanism • Unpopular Royal Favorites, such as the Duke of Buckingham • Unflattering rumors about behavior of the Court • The monarchy’s increased support for monopolies • Norman Yoke theory & Reverence for Common Law • Monarchs’ contempt for parliament’s authority