Early Charles I

• What was the name for Charles I's belief about his power?

  Divine Right of Kings
• What was the process where Parliament questioned the actions of Charles' ministers?

  Impeachment
• What did the Royal Prerogative entail for Charles I?

  The King believed he had the power to make decisions that were beyond Parliament.
• What are three examples of the Royal Prerogative held by Charles I?

  • Complete control of the army.
  • Control and prorogue Parliament for however long he wanted.
  • As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, he could change doctrine and appoint Bishops as he pleased.
• What was one right held by Parliament regarding the House of Commons?

  The king was not allowed to enter the House of Commons.
• When was Charles I's first Parliament called?

  June 1625
• What was Charles I denied at his first Parliament that other monarchs were allowed?

  Tonnage and Poundage for life; he could only collect it one year at a time.
• What expedition was led by Buckingham in June 1625 and why did it fail?

  The Cadiz expedition failed because the army got drunk after finding a vineyard and were evacuated back to England, with many dying on the journey home.
• Why were the 1st and 2nd Parliaments prorogued?

  Parliament discussed the impeachment of Buckingham.
• What non-parliamentary tax did Charles create in September 1626?

  Charles created the Forced Loan.
• Who was one person affected by the Forced Loan?

  Lord Chief Justice Carew was removed from his position after refusing to pay the Forced Loan.
• What was one famous case as a result of the Forced Loan and what was it about?

  The Five Knights Case involved five gentry imprisoned without formal charges or trial and refused bail for 'reasons of state'.
• How much did the Forced Loan raise by July 1627?

  £240,000
• When was the Five Knights Case?

  November 1627
• What were three measures Charles used in February 1627 to help with the current wars?


  • Billeting of troops: Civilian households put up troops and fed them at their own expense.
  • Ship Money: The King can tax coastal counties to pay for shipbuilding.
  • Martial law: A harsher set of rules declared in coastal counties.
• What was the expedition Buckingham led in October 1627 and why did it fail?


  The La Rochelle expedition failed due to the scaling ladders being too short for the walls, resulting in heavy casualties for the English.
• What did Parliament present in March 1628?


  The Petition of Right.
• What were the terms of the Petition of Right?

  • The reversal of the Five Knights Case.
  • An end to non-parliamentary taxation.
  • An end to imprisonment without cause.
  • An end to martial law and billeting of troops.
• What were two actions taken by Charles in response to the Petition of Right?

  He didn't sign it the correct way, but the House of Commons insisted he was to sign it correctly, and he asserted his right to tonnage and poundage for life.
• When was Buckingham assassinated and by whom?

  August 1628 by Thomas Felton.
• When and why was the 3rd Parliament prorogued?

  In March 1629, the 3rd Parliament was prorogued for looking into Charles' breaches of the Petition of Right.
• What was the final act of Parliament in 1629?

  The Remonstrance.
• What did Charles do as a result of the Remonstrance?

  Ordered the arrest of nine MPs.
• What began as a result of the dissolving of the 3rd Parliament?

  The 11-year Personal Rule from 1629-40.
• Who was Charles' wife and what was her religion?

  Henrietta Maria, who was a French Catholic.