Charles I & Parliament
History: KS3, topic 10.1.2
Charles I and Parliament
Charles I believed Parliament was not necessary for ruling England. Over time, Charles I consulted Parliament less and less.
Disagreement over foreign policy
- Parliament disagreed with Charles I’s foreign policy (policies concerning England’s relationship with different countries).
- Many members of Parliament did not like Charles I’s choice of wife (mainly because she was Catholic).
- Parliament also did not like the costs of Charles I’s wars in France and Spain.
Disagreement over religious policy
- Charles I was a High Anglican, this was a type of Protestantism which was often seen as being very similar to Catholicism.
- Many members of Parliament were Puritans. This was a strict type of Protestantism.
- Members of Parliament felt threatened by Charles I’s own religion and his wife’s Catholicism.
Dissolving Parliament
- Between 1625 and 1629, Charles I dissolved (shut down) Parliament three times.
- This was because Parliament would not agree to what he wanted.
- In 1629, Charles I dismissed Parliament for good. He decided he did not need Parliament to rule England.
Test yourself on Charles I & Parliament
What type of Protestantism did Charles I practice?
Assess the long-term effects of Charles I's assertion that Parliament was unnecessary for ruling England.
What was the underlying issue related to Charles I's marriage that caused tension with Parliament?
How did religious differences between Charles I and Parliament contribute to their strained relationship?
Evaluate the role of foreign policy in the conflict between Charles I and Parliament. What aspects of his policy led to disagreement?