Where is the Prime Meridian? Why couldn't it be marked from the Octagon Room?
It was constructed from the courtyard's outhouse in the south-east corner, because the Octagon Room wasn't oriented from north to south.
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How was the Royal Observatory built?
It was built cheaply from the foundations of Greenwich Castle. The bricks came from spare stock at Tilbury Fort. A gate was demolished at the Tower of London; the wood, iron and lead came from there. The money came from the sale of decayed gunpowder
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Why was it built so cheaply?
It was only built around a decade after the Great Fire of London (1675). London was still being rebuilt, so the Crown didn't have much money to spare for it. Parliament didn't trust Charles - the state was bankrupted due to the 2nd Anglo-Dutch War.
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What was the Longitude Problem?
Nobody could accurately calculate their longitude whilst at sea. The relationship between time and longitude was well-established - 15 degrees longitude is equal to 1 hour - but the only clocks were pendulum clocks, which don't work at sea.
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Why was the Longitude Problem so relevant to England?
England was close to becoming a major naval power and establishing a professional navy. They couldn't do so if many ships got lost. Furthermore, Charles II had the Blue Water Policy, which stated that trade and the navy were mutually sustaining.
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What does "mercantilism" mean?
"Mercantilism" is the belief that there is only a set amount of wealth in the world, and in order to gain more wealth another country must lose some. James believed in mercantilism and wanted to expand the navy at the expense of the Dutch.
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Why were the Dutch a serious rival to the English?
Despite being Protestant, the Dutch were seen as threatening. They established 2 companies and had trade bases in New Amsterdam/York, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
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Why was the slave trade essential to the English economy?
Coffee houses - the founders of intellectual debates - needed coffee, sugar, tobacco and tea. Most new fashions were made from cotton. Plantation owners built large country houses.
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What were the Navigation Acts?
Acts passed in 1660, 63, 70 and 73. They ensured British trade was by British businesses & people, on British soil. Crews had to be at least 75% British. From 1663, all goods had to go via Britain to be taxed.
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How were the colonies affected by the Navigation Acts? What was the significance of this?
All colonies had to buy from Britain, and couldn't even buy from other colonies by 1673. This led to the colonies feeling that they were treated unfairly and the rise of the phrase "no taxation without representation".
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What were "ships of the line"?
A naval tactic created by Generals Monck and Blake. Ships fought linearly instead of in a melee, creating a wall of cannon fire. It required bigger, more well-armed ships to work.
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Who reformed the administration of the navy? What did they change?
James and Samuel Pepys. They tackled corruption and improved wages, conditions and the supply chain. Promotion was now based on merit and key skills exams were introduced.
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Why did people want the Second Anglo-Dutch War?
The Company of Royal Adventurers Trading to Africa lobbied Charles. They, and James, wanted it because they believed in mercantilism at the Dutch's expense.
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How did the Second Anglo-Dutch War begin?
James attacked New Amsterdam in 1664, causing the war to begin on 14th March 1665.
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What were the features of the Octagon Room/Star Chamber?
It was built to look nice from the Queen's House. It had portraits of Charles and James; both were passionate about the longitude problem, but it was most likely out of vanity. It had windows on 6/8 walls to give a good view of the sky.
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When and where was Flamsteed House built?
It was built in 1675. It overlooked Greenwich Park and the Thames.
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What was Flamsteed House used for?
The basement and ground floor were living quarters. The first floor served as both an observation and entertainment room.
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What style was Flamsteed House built in?
Baroque - it became popular in England after Charles II returned from France.
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How much did the Royal Observatory cost in total?
£150 9s 1d
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What features does the Meridian Building have?
It used to have 2 buildings, the sextant and quadrant houses. Each roof could be opened. The sextant house's west wall had the "mural arc" from 1684; most observations were made from this.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Where is the Prime Meridian? Why couldn't it be marked from the Octagon Room?
Back
It was constructed from the courtyard's outhouse in the south-east corner, because the Octagon Room wasn't oriented from north to south.
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