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41 Cards in this Set

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  • Back

Describe James I

An intellectual, outgoing man who enjoyed debate and dealing with people.

What two qualities did James have?

Alongside his ability to communicate and engage with people, he was also pragmatic. These two qualities enabled him to make the ill-defined English political system work, for the most part.

Quote historian Sharpe on Charles I

He was 'a complete contrast to his father.'

How does historian Cogswell refer to Charles?

As being the 'mirror opposite' of James.

What does historian Young argue about Charles?

'It was not just that Charles happened to be the opposite to his father; he consciously set out to make himself the opposite.'

How did Charles contrast to his father?

Charles was shy and and hampered by a speech defect. Both traits led to his being unapproachable and, more damaging, uncommunicative with Parliament. He had none of James' political shrewdness or flexibility because of his insecurities.

How did Charles govern?

His intentions and actions often went unexplained, leaving others to interpret them. He had an inferiority complex that made him over stress his prerogative. Also unwilling to compromise, he seemed unable to understand different points of view. Criticism was interpreted as rebellion and he tended to see conspiracies that were not there.

What were points of contact?

The main points of contact were the Court and Parliament. Communication between the Political Nation and the monarch was crucial to the functioning of the English political system.

What did James and Charles have in common?

Both were firm believers in the Divine Right of Kings and defensive of their prerogative.

How did James and Charles balance royal prerogative and parliamentary privilege?

James was pragmatic while Charles was provocative.

Which book did James most notably write about the art and theory of kingship?

'Basilikon Doron' in 1599.

How did James see himself?

James was able to distinguish between the theory and practicalities of ruling. He saw himself as the Rex Pacificus in foreign policy and a 'renaissance prince' in general terms.

What led to the undermining of Charles' authority?

He was unwilling to negotiate and the nature of his court increasingly hampered dialogue with the Political Nation.

What institution lay at the centre of power?
The royal court, which was the physical manifestation of the character and kingship of the monarch.
How was the court divided?
The public outer chambers and the inner lodgings, the Bedchamber. The monarch enjoyed some privacy and access to such areas was strictly controlled.
What was the Privy Council?
The monarch's official body of advisers and administers. It held considerable power, but the monarch did not have to follow its advice.
Who had the greatest access to the monarch?
The Gentlemen of the Bedchamber, this greater access meant more influence over him.
Define 'faction'
Competing groups in politics. In this case, dissenting groups based on personal or family relationships that sought the favour of the monarch.
What is a patronage system?
Political success was based on establishing a network of support. The political aim was to build and use a network of connections to move as close to the king as possible.
Describe James' court
An open and lively place that reflected the king's enjoyment of life. At its extreme, the court was criticised for being drunken, immoral and debauched. James' intellectual interests were also emphasised at court, particularly in his patronage of Shakespeare.
What was a source of tension at James I's court?
The early dominance of the Bedchamber by Scots. The English elite were concerned about the influence the Scots could wield through their access to James.
Who was the first Englishman to be appointed to the Bedchamber?
George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, in 1615.
How did Charles see his court?
As a microcosm of his state, a model for what could be achieved throughout the country.
What isolated Charles' court?
The strict order that Charles imposed and the fact it included only his supporters. This offered those outside it no point of contact in the political process.

What religious persuasions dominated Charles' court?

Catholics and Arminians.
What was Catholicism strongly linked with?
Absolutism, as seen in Spain and France. This created anxiety among the Political Nation, as they were uneasy about having a monarch who could rule freely without regard for their concerns.
What was a court masque?
A type of dramatic entertainment popular among the English nobility during the 16th and 17th century. It involved dancing and acting, in which Charles and his courtiers sometimes took on silent roles.
What was the typical theme of Charles' masques?
Disorder in the land which, at the appearance of the king and queen, was transformed into order. The masque at Charles' court was a reflection of the role the king felt he was fulfilling in bringing order to the country.
What does art historian Strong argue about masques?
Charles made 'every Stuart court masque a vehicle for an exposition of the political theory of the Divine Right of Kings.'
Why did Puritans frown upon masques?
Women in plays was sinful and ceremonies of any sort were disliked, because they were associated with Catholicism.
How did Van Dyck's painting of Charles portray him?
The painting created the impression to outsiders that Charles desired to be an absolutist Catholic monarch.
What did it mean to be a favourite?
Courtiers who became especially close to the monarch gained enormous political influence. Access to the monarch meant power.
List James' favourites

-Esme Stuart, Duke of Lennox (1579-81)


-Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset (1607-13)


-George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham (1615-25)



What did favourites of James provoke?
Concern about their influence because they were men, thus were in a position to have an open political role which the monarch granted them. Their favour was also seen as another example of the king's debauched lifestyle and immoral court.
Who was the mutual favourite of James and Charles?
Duke of Buckingham. Such was his prominence at court his was also a major source of political tension in the years 1618-28.
What was the relationship between James and Buckingham based on?
Personal affection.
Describe Charles and Buckingham's relationship during James' reign
They had initially suffered a difficult relationship, but James played a role in reconciling the two from 1620; it was in Buckingham's interest to develop links with the new heir to the throne.
Outline the later relationship between Charles and Buckingham
Less overtly sexual than with James, but Buckingham's favouritism still caused problems. He was allowed a dominant role in the management of royal patronage, which forced others to look to Parliament in order to peruse their interests. Buckingham's pre-eminence also led to conflict within the court, disrupting the parliaments of 1621-28.
What was the most important element which shaped the monarch's reign?
Personality, within a culture of personable monarchy.
What issues did both James and Charles face?
Interrelated issues of foreign policy, finance, religion and parliament.

What was a common downfall of James and Charles?

Their over-reliance on Buckingham, another source of tension in itself.