Chapter 1: The Political Nation

• What was the basis for England's economy?

  Agriculture. Dominated by a small elite group of landowners
• Causes of tension in the Political Nation?

  Developments in trade and industry, and religious developments
• Political Nation?

  Those in Britain with political, social and economic power. Land ownership was the root of power
• James I's claim to the throne?

  His great-grandmother was Henry VIII's sister
• James I's attitude to Parliament?

  Pragmatic and practical, although he occasionally dissolved Parliament due to frustration
• Charles I as King?

  Unprepared and temperamentally unsuited. Didn't get along with Parliament
• How did Charles II spend his formative years?

  He lived in exile in Europe
• How was Charles II similar to James I?

  Both were pragmatic and had a sociable nature
• How was James II similar to Charles I?

  They were both principled, stubborn and unwilling to compromise
• Why was a revolution started against James II?

  He was a Catholic
• What was William of Orange's claim to the throne?

  His wife, Mary, was the daughter of James II
• Why did the Political Nation want William and Mary to become England's monarchs?

  They would ensure that England remained a Protestant country
• Prerogative?

  The power of the crown, derived from God. Allowed the monarch to declare war and control foreign policy, call and dissolve Parliament, and act as the head of the Church of England
• Why were English monarchs not absolutist?

  Years of inflation meant that the monarch was financially dependant on parliamentary subsidies, especially regarding warfare
• How did MPs provide Crown subsidies?

  Taxing the land and property of the Political Nation
• Why were MPs reluctant to grant subsidies?

  The Political Nation were responsible for electing MPs, so it was in the best interest of MPs to tax their subjects as little as possible
• Prerogative income?

  Money received by the king due to his position as monarch. Types of income include crown lands, custom duties, feudal dues and subsidies
• Why was income from crown lands falling?

  Much of it had been sold, or rented at a fixed rate that could not be increased to keep in line with inflation
• Custom duties?

  Taxes on imported goods entering the country
• Feudal dues?

  The crown controlled estates inherited by heirs under 21
• What did the monarch rely on the Political Nation for?

  Controlling the population
• What did the Political Nation do for the monarch?

  Collected taxes, trained the army, enforced laws and conducted trials
• Nature of constitution?

  England didn't have a formal constitution, rather an informal one comprised of parliamentary and common laws, traditions and customs
• Pros and cons of unwritten constitution?

  Open to interpretation. This could lead to division, but also compromise
• Groups in the Political Nation?

  The aristocracy, the gentry, and new money (lawyers and merchants, wealth didn't originate from land)
• Percentage of population in Political Nation?

  0.5%
• Wealth required to be in the Political Nation?

  £2 annual income
• How did women in the Political Nation exert power?

  Social interactions at court
• How was the monarch seen in relation to the country?

  The king was seen as the father of the nation
• Percentage that England's population increased between 1500 and 1650?

  Over 200%
• Negative consequences of increased population?

  Inflation, land and food shortages, unemployment
• Great Chain of Being?

  People were bound to their social position, and it was their duty to stay within it. This negated possible rebellions
• How did landowners benefit from the increasing population?

  There were more people to sell food to, and food shortages, which were more common due to the increased population, meant that food prices could be raised
• Which social classes became more influential in the Political Nation?

  Merchants and the gentry
• Why did Parliament view Prince Henry as an ideal heir?

  He shared many of the grievances that Parliament also had with James I