The Early The Early Stuarts & the Stuarts & the Road to WarRoad to War
Religion in the Religion in the 1717thth Century Century
• In the 17th Century, most of England was Protestant though a few Roman Catholics remained in the country
• There were two main Protestant groups in England: the Church of England (Anglicans) and the Puritans
Church of EnglandChurch of England(Anglican) (Anglican)
• Official church in England.• King was its head.• Supported by taxes from the people• Services were very elaborate and
buildings were richly decorated
Puritans Puritans • Large and powerful group of dissenting
Protestants - Thought the Anglican Church was too much like Catholic
Church.
• Believed churches and church services should be simple and plain
• Wore dark clothes and lived very sober lives.
• Believed that authority came from Bible (not the King)
• .
Puritans in England Puritans in England • Puritanism spread rapidly throughout
England in the 16th and 17th centuries. • Often faced persecution:
o At times it was illegal for puritans to hold their own services and many were imprisoned or fined for their beliefs.
• Many immigrated to North America in search of religious freedom.
• Others entered parliament as a way to gain political power and promote their beliefs.
WitchesWitches
““Outing” a Witch Outing” a Witch - Torture was often used to
extract confessions. - Types of torture used in England
included bread-and-water diets, tethering of limbs and sleep deprivation
- Condemned witches were ducked in water with their thumbs tied to their toes until they drowned.
- Others were hanged, burned or pressed to death.
History of Parliament History of Parliament in Englandin England
• Since Anglo-Saxon times, England had a Parliament which was used by the King to “consult” with the people
• In 1215, King John signed the Magna Carta which forced him to grant rights to Parliament
- King must rule lawfully- no new taxes without vote
by Parliament- right to trial by jury of peers
Parliament in EnglandParliament in England• By 1295, Parliament had taken shape:
• House of Lords House of Commons - nobles, bishops - wealthy landowners, & members of Anglican & townspeople Church (Ch.of Eng.) - elected to represent -
appointed people
** BUT…most people did not have the right to vote or sit in Parliament
The House of Lords The House of Lords Today Today
House of Commons House of Commons Today Today
England Under the England Under the TudorsTudors
• Accepted the democratic traditions of England.
• Kept Parliament on their side.
• Elizabeth I, the last Tudor, died in 1603
King James I King James I - James VI of Scotland
succeeded Elizabeth I when she died in 1603.
- Became King James I of England
- Disliked the democratic traditions of England and preferred to rule as an absolute monarch.
- Introduced the Divine Right of Kings into England.
Divine Right of Kings Divine Right of Kings o Theory that monarchs get their power from Theory that monarchs get their power from
GodGod, not the people of the country, not the people of the country
o Ordinary people have no right to question Ordinary people have no right to question the king/queen’s decisionsthe king/queen’s decisions
o Monarchs Monarchs have unlimited powerhave unlimited power• Absolute MonarchyAbsolute Monarchy
King James IKing James I• Cared little for English politics
• Ignored parliament (very unpopular)
• Fought with Parliament over:o Religion (persecuted Puritans) o Money (tried to raise taxes)o Foreign policy (made peace with Spain)
• Died 1625 – left country in debt
Charles I Charles I • Became King in 1625 when King
James I dies.
• Also believed in the Divine Right of Kings
• Constantly needed moneyo Extravagant lifestyleo Wars (Spain and France)
• Fought with Parliamento Politics (Arrested prisoners without
trial)o Taxes (Ship Fees, Tunnage and
Poundage)o Religion (wanted all subject to worship
in style of Church of England)
16281628• Parliament wants king to sign
the Petition of Righto Parliament must approve
taxeso King Must stop Illegal
Activities• Charles refused and sent
Parliament Home• Uses his main advisors Lord
Stafford & Archbishop Laud to bring country under royal control.
The Long ParliamentThe Long Parliament• 1637 – Charles loses a war• Charles tried to force Scotland to worship in
style of Church of England• Most Scots were Presbyterians
o Scots revolted, Invaded England
• Charles needed money to pay for soldiers to stop the revolto Forced to recall Parliamento Eventually Gave into their demands
• Parliament would sit for 13 years.
Parliaments DemandsParliaments Demands• Trial of Kings main advisors• Parliament must be called once
every three years• Limit King’s powers – Grand
Remonstrance• Release Prisoners
Divided Parliament Divided Parliament • Parliament was divided between Radicals (wanted
to take most of the King’s power) and the others who wanted guarantee that the King would follow the law.
• Magna Carta unclear about the amount of power that the King should have.
• “Royal Perogative” allowed him to act outside the law – no agreement about what this meant.
• King sees opportunity to regain control.
• King marched Army into House of Commons to arrest 5 radical members (illegal)o Not a commonero Violated parliamentary Privilege
• Radicals escapedo Parliament began to raise an army
• King began to raise an army.
The Road to WarThe Road to War