King Charles I

This section provides an overview of the English Revolution and the role of King Charles I. The English Civil War was a defining conflict in British history, with profound consequences for the monarchy and the governance of the nation. The tensions that led to this war began during the reign of Charles I, the second Stuart monarch. His rule saw a serious challenge to the monarchy's authority, culminating in civil war, the king’s execution, and the abolition of the monarchy for 11 years.

Who Was King Charles I?

Charles I became king in 1625, following the death of his father, James I, who had also been James VI of Scotland. James I succeeded Elizabeth I of England, the last Tudor monarch. His reign had already seen tensions between the monarchy and Parliament over issues of power and authority. Charles inherited these tensions, but his actions escalated them significantly.

Belief in the Divine Right of Kings:

• Charles firmly believed in the Divine Right of Kings, a doctrine that held monarchs were appointed by God and thus answerable only to God, not to their subjects or Parliament. This belief led Charles to resent any opposition to his authority, particularly from Parliament.

Strained Relationship with Parliament:

• Like his father, Charles had a difficult relationship with Parliament, especially when it questioned his decisions or attempted to limit his power. In 1629, frustrated by Parliament’s interference, Charles dissolved Parliament and ruled without it for 11 years. This period, known as the 'Eleven Years’ Tyranny', saw increasing tensions between the king and his subjects.

Religious Causes of the English Civil War

Religion played a central role in the events that led to the English Civil War, particularly due to the tension between Catholic and Protestant factions in England.

The Catholic Threat:

• Since the Reformation under Henry VIII, England had been a Protestant country. However, many English people still practiced Catholicism in secret, and there were fears about the influence of Catholics, particularly following plots like the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, which aimed to kill the Protestant monarch.
• Charles I’s marriage to Henrietta Maria, a Catholic princess from France, raised concerns among Protestants. Many suspected Charles was sympathetic to Catholicism, or even secretly Catholic himself, which deepened divisions in English society.

Religious Reforms under Charles:

• In 1633, William Laud became Archbishop of Canterbury and began to introduce changes in the Church of England that were seen as too Catholic. These included the decoration of churches and the introduction of ritualistic practices. For many Protestants, these changes seemed like a return to Catholicism and sparked widespread alarm.

Puritans’ Opposition:

• The Puritans, a strict Protestant group, were particularly vocal in their opposition to Charles’ religious policies. They became increasingly influential within Parliament, advocating for a more reformed church and society. In 1637, three Puritans—Prynne, Bastwick, and Burton—were publicly punished for criticising the Church. They were pilloried, had their ears cut off, and were branded, becoming martyrs to the cause and rallying others against the king’s religious policies.

Religious Conflict with Scotland:

• Charles also made unpopular religious changes in Scotland, which followed a Presbyterian form of Protestantism. In 1637, he attempted to impose a new prayer book on the Scottish Church, which many saw as too Catholic. The Scots rejected this, leading to the signing of the National Covenant in 1638, which pledged to resist the changes. When Charles attempted to use force to suppress the rebellion, his army was defeated, and the Scots invaded England in 1640.

Political Causes of the English Civil War

The political relationship between Charles I and Parliament was a central factor in the English Revolution.

Charles and the Scots:

• After the defeat of his army by the Scots, Charles was forced to recall Parliament in 1640 for the first time in 11 years to secure funds to deal with the Scottish invasion. This Parliament, known as the Short Parliament, was quickly dissolved after just a month when Charles refused to meet its demands, which included reversing his religious reforms.

The Long Parliament:

• With the Scottish threat still looming, Charles had to call Parliament again later in 1640, this time leading to the Long Parliament, which lasted until 1660. In the wake of the Scottish rebellion, Parliament forced Charles to agree to a series of concessions, including the reversal of Laud’s religious changes and a promise not to pass laws without consulting Parliament.

Irish Rebellion and Growing Tensions:

• In 1641, a rebellion broke out among Irish Catholics, which led to the massacre of thousands of Protestant settlers. This rebellion heightened suspicion about Charles’ loyalties, with many believing he sympathised with the Irish rebels. Parliament agreed to provide funds to suppress the rebellion, but refused to let Charles take command of the army, fearing he might use it against Parliament.

Grand Remonstrance:

• In 1641, Parliament presented the Grand Remonstrance to Charles, a list of grievances detailing his abuses of power, especially regarding his religious reforms and refusal to work with Parliament. This document exacerbated the growing divide between the king and his Parliament, pushing the country closer to conflict.

The Arrest of Five MPs:

• In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Charles attempted to arrest John Pym and four other MPs in 1642, accusing them of treason. However, the MPs were warned in advance and managed to flee. This move was seen by many as proof that Charles was prepared to use force to suppress opposition, which further alienated him from many in Parliament and the wider public.

Economic Causes of the English Revolution

Charles’ attempts to raise funds without Parliament’s consent contributed to growing resentment and opposition, especially among the common people and landowners.

Ship Money:

• One of the most unpopular financial measures introduced by Charles was the Ship Money tax, traditionally levied only on coastal regions during times of war to fund the navy. Charles extended this tax to the whole country, even in peacetime, and used it as a regular source of revenue without Parliament’s approval.

John Hampden’s Defiance:

• In 1637, a wealthy landowner named John Hampden famously refused to pay Ship Money, leading to a court case. Though Hampden lost, the case turned him into a symbol of resistance against the king’s arbitrary taxes. His actions inspired many others to resist the payment of Ship Money, further undermining Charles’ authority.

The reign of Charles I was marked by deepening tensions with Parliament, religious conflict, and the king’s insistence on absolute rule. His belief in the Divine Right of Kings, coupled with his refusal to accept Parliamentary constraints, created an increasingly polarised society. Religious changes, both in England and Scotland, and political decisions such as the arrest of MPs and the imposition of taxes without Parliament’s consent, further inflamed opposition. All these factors culminated in the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642, a conflict that would eventually lead to Charles I’s execution and the temporary abolition of the monarchy.