Charles I
On August 17th 1642, near Nottingham, the royal standard was raised in a traditional ceremony in front of
his subjects. Charles I proclamation of War.
It was announced that anybody who fought the King would be considered as a traitor, and ultimately a
betrayer.
- A royal Martyr, who was dignified, however betrayed (supporters view)
- He was a 'man of blood', an architect of a civil war (enemies view)
In paintings, Charles was often painted purposely with 'sad eyes.'
Charles' early life influenced whom he would become as a King as well as his ideas in contributing to the
Civil War. As a child born in 1600, many courtiers believed that Charles would not survive infancy. He was
a small petite man, with a voice impediment made Charles both shy and self conscious.
As Charles got older, he worked desperately to overcome these insecurities and develop his physical
appearance to appear stronger, and put stones in his mouth to improve his speech.
Charles worshiped his brother, because he was everything Charles wanted to be, strong, loved and
outgoing.
Prince Charles was the first prince to be brought up in the Anglican church, and was always a dedicated
member of the Church until his death.
Charles was not a natural scollar like his brother or father, however he tried to be and worked hard.
In 1612, his brother Henry died of typhoid fever. As heir, Charles became an important figure at his
father's court. King James wanted to become a peacemaker between Catholic France and Spain with
distant Germany and Deutch states. He had already married his daughter, Elizabeth, to a palatine in
Germany (Bosnia.) James knew if he married Charles to a spanish or french princess, his influence in
Europe would increase.
However, whilst James was negotiating, Charles became close with George Villiers, aka the Duke of
Buckingham who was arrogant and politically dangerous behind what has been described as 'his good
looks.' Charles saw Villiers as a brother, as well as also speculated a hole in which his brother had left
behind. Villiers was handsome, intelligent and cultured.
In 1623, both Charles and Villiers convinced the King to allow them to travel incognito to Madrid to 'woo'
the Spanish infanta. They went by the names 'Jack and Tom Smith.' However, by the time they had
reached Spain, their plan had become common knowledge. Charles' actions embarrassed the English
and Spanish authorities; but, worst of all, Charles promised to grant concessions to English catholics in
return for the Infanta's hand. Something which had been described as showing Charles political madness.
Protestants hated catholicism or 'popery' due to the constant threat of an uprising. This was worsened by
the news of corrupted German catholic soldiers in Germany, as many thought the same may happen in
England.
When Charles returned, many applauded him due to coming back without a wife (even though that is
what he wanted to happen.) To aid their humiliation, Villiers and Charles wanted to declare war, although
he didn't agree, James agreed to support his son and lover's entiprice. Parliament was called to Whitehall
Palace to hear Villiers' biased account of nature. Charles sat in silence, due to his reliance on the Duke
but also due to his self conscious nature due to his stammer. Parliament enthusiastically ruled in favor of
war.
, In March 1625, King James died. George Villiers became the King's Lord Minister under Charles, this
meant that Buckingham had total control of royal policy. In the first three years of his rule, Villiers did most
of the ruling. Both often ruled against the Church and Parliament, as Charles believed in the Divine Right
of Kings meaning the only authority over him was God. Unlike his father, Charles could never negotiate
with Parliament. Three months after his Father's death, Charles married the Catholic princess Henritetta
of France. Buckingham arranged the marriage to Charles and the King of France's sister. He created an
ally for his military assault on Spanish territory.
Disaster followed as Henrietta openly flaunted her Catholic ways as well as her dislike for protestantry.
Their marriage was pure at first, however closely fell apart and the French alliance turned into another
War. For this War, it would mean that Charles would need to call upon Parliament for funding, however he
did not. Due to Charles disrepsect, Parliament demanded anti-Catholic laws be put in place, and the
removal of Buckingham in return for their support. Charles responded by dismissing Parliament, and
started to levy forced loans and taxes.
A series of expensive expeditions to support protestent French strongholds failed. Parliament demanded
Buckingham's impeachment as well as the petition of rights. Charles tried to avoid his answer, however
he hesitantly signed the petition meaning he could no longer levy taxes or imprison enemies without
Parliament's consent. In August 1628, Buckingham was stabbed in the back by a former lieutenant. This
death worsened the political crisis. Negotiations were opened with Spain and France, and the Privy
councillor debated soundier policies.
In grief, Charles became closer to his wife, and for the first time in three years of marriage, Henrietta was
pregnant. Charles became very faithful to his wife, and the two seemed to generally fall in love. From
1630 to 1644, the pair welcomed eight children. In March 1629, John Elliot and Densil Hollies, the leaders
of the oppositions introduced three resolutions to the House of Commons, being the levying of taxes and
against property - were passed after the Speaker was physically held down. But before the King or his
men could respond, Parliament closed itself. Many Partimentary's afraid of Elliot and Holly's radicalism,
turned in alliangence to the King. Charles sudden support and pity of the public, Charles believed he
could do as he wished, and so from 1629 to 1640, Charles chose not to call Parliament.
Without corrupt political pressure from Parliament, Charles dedicated his life to other interests such as art.
Charles court contrasted to his father, as his quiet dignity, good manners and excellent behavior, set
standards in which he wanted his courtiers to embody. His court reflected his views of Kingship. Nobody
but the Queen herself was allowed to sit in Charles' presence. And to his men and servants, Charles
seemed like an unapproachable figure.
During the 1630s, Charles' happiness became unjust, as Parliament's grievances did not disappear and
only increased. Without a parliament, the King became isolated from facing his own people. Furthermore,
to finance his government, the King was forced to resort to measures which affected every society. The
roles in which were often made up of Parliament (eg merchants) became weighed down by the King's
taxes. Fines, sales of monopolies, the extension of crown lands and extreme custom duties showed the
Royal administration out of control.
Religion became the major problem for Charles, as the war in Europe became a protestant life or death
struggle, many became worried. People started to convert to Catholicism due to Queen Henrietta. In
1637, a people's representative was welcomed at Whitehall. There became a rumor that Charles was
intending to reintroduce Popery, however Charles ignored these fears. In hopes of fixing the problem, the
religious reforms of William Laud were seen as an opening for Catholicism. However, Charles wanted a
united Church, preferably Anglican, governed by Bishops appointed by him enforcing the royal will.
Charles particularly despised Puritans. Puritans was a branch of the Anglican Church who wanted simple
services and plain Churches and wanted to choose their own ministers. In the King's eye, this was an
