C.11

• How to describe 1641 for Charles

  - Annus Horribilis; 'horrible year'

  • By Sept 1641 Charles had not refusef any of Parlis demands; tried to deploy the powers he still retained to win back powers he lost
• Bedford's Bridge appointments scheme For Charles

  - only form of settlement presented to King that fit his view of Kingship:

  • represented no fundamental change to system of government

  - Charles hated implications of having to loose Wentworth and Laud

  - Scheme would have resolved Charles financial predicament reducing his vulnerability BUT Bedford died b4 this could occur
• The Army plot for Charles

  - April - May 1641; to choose not to deploy Army which was one of Kings strength.. took a great deal of confidence from his ability to handle negotiations w Bedford and Parliament

  - King tried seeking money from Spain, Rome and Short parliament; made him seem insincere and deceitful
• Scottish relations w Charles post Grand Remonstrace

  - Charles needed to settle situation in Scot due to flop of Army Plot and Bedford Scheme

  - Cumbernauld Band led by 18 Scottish nobles Earl of Montrose; signed in Agust 1640 in defence for king against Covenanters
• Connections between England and Scotland

  - After the Bishops' Wars, Scotland sent commissioners to Westminster to negotiate with England.

  - The English Parliament was inspired by Scotland's success in limiting the king's power, particularly in church governance.

  - Scottish Presbyterianism influenced reforms in England, with opposition to episcopacy growing.

  - By 1641, maintaining Scottish troops in England became too expensive.

  - With Charles I unable to respond militarily, Scotland's political and religious settlements (1638-1640) seemed secure.

  - By summer 1641, Scottish troops began returning home.
• Events leading to the 'Incident' of Oct 1641

  - King travels to Scot during August, visit which was arranged in Truce of Ripon, hoped to win political support

  • Made concessions to Covenanters meeting Scottish Parliament, holding talks with General Leslie and appoints moderate Covenanters in to Key roles

  - Commons were anxious of what Charles would achieve so Parliamentary Committee of Defence decided their own commissioners one who was Hampden to keep and eye on him
• The 'Incident' of Oct 1641

  - Charles was planning at the same time to remove the most radical Covenanters particularly Hamilton and Argyll

  - The 'incident' came to head when Charles attended Edinburgh Parliament on 12th Oct accompanied by armed forces, the plot had been leaked and proved to Parliament that Charles couldn't be trusted

  - abruptly ended the rapprochement and crystallised divisions
• Execution of Stafford and political consequences

  - Strafford seen as an 'evil advisor' and their (Strafford + Laud) attempts at 'Thorough' had nearly succeed in creating absolutist state

  - Laud was left in tower till execution in 1645 but both impeached in Dec 1640
• Trial of Strafford

  - Began March 1641, prosecution case was that Strafford tried establishing 'arbitrary government' but the case was v. weak:

  • Strafford was able to effectively defend himself as he was following Kings commands, said in attacking kings loyal servant was treacherous to king

  • Some charges were flaws; they said Strafford intended to commit treason by bringing Irish Army to England for Charles to use to restore order forcibly

  • The quality of prosecution witnesses were weak
• Strafford defence in his trial

  - On 12 April Straff and Pym made their closing statements, Straff said;

  • " You have brought lots of fragments of evidence against me as though.. you will find a tiny seed which could sprout in to treason"

  • "There is not the least proof that I have schemed with the Popish faction"

  • "All I have ever done has been to accurately and impartially carry out the law"
• Pyms response to Strafford defence closing system

  • " Strafford has endeavoured by his words, actions and counsels to subvert the fundamental law of England"
• Bill of Attainder


  - Strafford defence was effective; Attorney General said: " he could not be convict of Treason"

  - Pym bright impeachment to halt and drew up bill of Act of attainder, meaning it was easier to act against Strafford + brought king in direct involvement w case acting as a test for Kings goodwill to Parliament
• Bill of Attainder pt 2

  - Commons vote 204 in favour to 59 against; some MPs were not present e.g Viscout Saye and Sele claimed il was and went home

  - Charles gave his assent, Stafford's wry response was "Put not your trust in princes"

  - 12 May 1641 Strafford was executed in front of 100,000