4. Relations and disputes with Parliaments 1604-29 = James' attitude to parliament, parliamentary privilege, finance, religion and foreign policy

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what was James in little doubt about?
his divine right to rule, but added to this belief was his experience of Scottish parliaments which were more the tool of the crown than the english institution was
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what was James parliament dominated by?
a number of issues that raised constitutional questions, notably the relationship between his prerogative and parliamentary privilege
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what is parliamentary privilege?
legal immunity enjoyed by members of parliament that allows them to freely speak during proceedings without fear of legal action i.e. being arrested for raising controversial questions are debates
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what does parliamentary privilege allow parliament to do?
function effectively as a legislative body to the monarch
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by 1603 what could MPs do?
legitimately regard their privileges as theirs by right, although the origins, nature and scope of them were matters of debate
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in 1604 what happened to MP Thomas Shirley?
he was arrested for debt
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why did his arrest upset MPs?
were keen to establish parliamentary privilege of freedom from arrest while parliament was sitting
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what did MPs do to assert their point?
parliament sent the governor of the Fleet debtors prison, where Shirley had been held, to the Tower of London until Shirley was released
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in the early stages of James first parliament why were some MPs irritated?
irritated that James refused to allow the Commons to introduce ecclesiastical reforms. also some discontent over wardship and purveyance
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the MPs drew up a document called 'The Form of Apology and Satisfactions' what was this?
protesting against James' handling of all the political issues but not all MPs felt the same
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what were the commons more united against?
the king on the issues of Union and finance which dominated the session of 1606
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what was the unification of England and Scotland part of?
James' design for his new kingdom be secure internally and to have peace with Europe
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why were some people concerned?
that the new state would abolish English laws since the king as the 'source of the law' could rewrite the laws of a newly formed kingdom and could give himself more scope to exercise absolute authority
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what did James declare by royal proclamation through his prerogative?
his title would be 'king of great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith. a new currency for the united country would be issued and all ships would carry new union flag
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debates on the union dominated the 3rd session of parliament which opened in November 1606 what did english MPs display?
racial intolerance but also economic logic
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in the end what happened to the kings plan for the union?
kings plan for Union collapsed amid parliamentary opposition
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what was the primary reason for James' dissolution of his first parliament?
it wasn't conflict on the issue of Union but the failure to reach a parliamentary solution to the crowns financial difficulties
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what further alienated James from parliament as shown in his letter to his Privy council in 1611?
amid the arguments about Union and constitutional rights, negotiations over the Great Contract alienated him from parliament
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why was it given the nickname 'addled parliament' of 1614?
alludes to its ineffectiveness means confused
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how long did the addled conference last?
no more than 8 weeks before James I dissolved it
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what were the 5 reasons that the parliament fell?
financial need, factional conflict, manipulation of MP, James' indecisiveness and impositions
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at the start of James' parliament what were MPs focused on?
the abuse of monopolies partly as a means of attacking Buckingham
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why were monopolies an issue at this time?
as England was not trading as well with its partners and monopolies had been exploited by many courtiers as a mens of attacking each other
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who encouraged parliament to impeach their rival Francis Bacon over monopolies?
Buckingham, Coke and Cranfield
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what are monopolies an indication of?
indication that the politics of this period was not necessarily a crown parliament split but more a factional infighting
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what was foreign policy part of and what did this mean?
part of monarchs prerogative and therefore parliament had no right to discuss it
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why did it become a parliamentary issue in 1621?
james implied that MPs could discuss foreign policy as a way to frighten the Spanish into agreeing to the Spanish match, marriage between Charles and Henrietta maria
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what did James know parliament would think over the match?
he knew that the majority of MPs would voice strong anti-Spanish sentiment and call for war
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how long ha the discussions for the marriage gone on?
since 1614 but James was adamant that the match could be a means to negotiate an end to the 30 years war
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on 3rd December 1621 what did the commons do display their anti-spanish stance?
produced a petition criticising the Spanish match
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how did James respond to this?
he stated that foreign policy was part of his prerogative and not for discussion
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what did this provoke the commons to do on the 18th December?
provokes a commons protestation declaring Parliaments 'undoubted birthright' to discuss matters such as foreign policy
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what put extra strain on James' relationship with the Political nation and parliament?
the outbreak of the thirty years war in 1618 and his response to it
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what did James view himself as?
saw himself as a 'rex pacificus' and having secured peace with Spain in 1604, he had tried since 1618 to continue good relations with the country through the Spanish match
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in 1624 when James was ill who were deeply involves in foreign policy?
Charles and Buckingham were involved in foreign policy which was still the main subject of contention
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what was the crucial issue in foreign policy?
whether England should intervene in the European War
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following there visit to Madrid in 1623 which they hoped to secure the Spanish Match but failed what did both Charles and Buckingham do?
converted to an anti-Spanish policy this led to the start of the anglo-Spanish war
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what seemed to further undermine James' authority?
the failure of the Madrid trip of 1623 and the common cause made by Buckingham and Charles with MPs in 1624
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when James pushed for a more aggressive anti-Spanish stance in 1624 what did MPs do?
they were reluctant to provide the necessary funds for an aggressive foreign policy
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Card 2

Front

what was James parliament dominated by?

Back

a number of issues that raised constitutional questions, notably the relationship between his prerogative and parliamentary privilege

Card 3

Front

what is parliamentary privilege?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

what does parliamentary privilege allow parliament to do?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

by 1603 what could MPs do?

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Preview of the front of card 5
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