Was Charles I Trying to Establish Royal Absolutism?

1. Controversy surrounded Charles I's decision to introduce Personal Rule in 1629. It is not clear from what he said whether he ever intended to call another Parliament or not. We therefore have to base our conclusions on what he actually did during the 1630s.

2. Charles used painting, architecture, music, theatre and the Church to create an image of the monarchy that would support belief in the Divine Right of Kings. However, most of the paintings of himself and his family were never publicised, being kept in royal palaces, and the masques were performed only in front of a limited audience at court.

3. In order to govern without Parliament, Charles fell back on the judiciary to reinterpret the law to…