10.2.1

Political - Charles I

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King Charles I

Charles I was unpopular. The people compared him unfavourably to the famous Elizabeth I, who had been a strong and just ruler. This meant that some did not respect Charles.

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'Divine right of kings'

  • Charles I, like his father James I, believed firmly in the 'divine right of kings'.
  • This meant he believed that he had been appointed as King by God, and therefore could not be challenged.
  • He thought that he could run the country how he liked, as God was on his side.
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Charles' rule

  • Charles gradually spent less time with English noblemen and increasingly surrounded himself with just a few, highly trusted companions.
  • Scottish noblemen formed a group called The Covenant in 1638.
  • He found it difficult to listen to anyone with different opinions to his because he took their opposition very personally.
  • He arrested anyone who opposed him.
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Charles' marriage

  • Charles married Henrietta Maria in 1625, a French princess.
  • Her brother was the absolutist King of France, Louis XIII.
  • Absolutist monarchs had total power over their subjects.
  • Charles began to copy Louis' actions.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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