Essay plan for question 'To what extent was Charles I personality and views responsible for his failures as monarch '
This essay plan is divided into themed paragraphs, with for and against arguments and the examples needed to write an A* essay.
To what extent was Charles I’s character and views the main reason for his failures as king in
the years 1625 to 1646?
Court and patronage:
Charles' inability to create a court and select supporters was a key reason for his failure as king.
● Catholic wife Henrietta Maria - own chapel (st James) openly practised.
● Closed court - Personal Rule, church courts - Juxon, Wentworth/Strafford (black tyrant
tom - attainder + execution 1641), William Laud. Unpopular, some catholics.
● Buckingham until 1628. Parliament closed in 1625 and 26 because they tried to impeach
him.
● Appointment of Lunsford to tower of London 1641
Counterpoints:
❖ Personal rule + court was well ordered i.e. Book Orders 1631 - forced Justices of peace
to do their jobs.
❖ Parliamentary radicalism - impeachment attempt on Buckingham, impeach earl of
strafford.
Religion:
● Promotion of Arminianism - 1633 Laud made Archbishop of canterbury - beauty of
holiness.
● Laudian reforms - Moving the altar, stained glass, music in ceremony.
● 1625 York House conference - shows king supports arminianism.
● 1637 Prayer book in scotland - Bishops wars. BIG FAILURE
● Irish truce 1643 - catholic troops.
Counterpoints:
❖ Religious polarisation predates Charles I and is caused by other factors i.e. socio-
economic change i.e growth of puritanism
❖ Puritanism growth - mechanic preachers- Root and Branch petition 1640 (removal of
bishops)
❖ Parliament t support presbyterians in civil war
Funding the kingdom
● Fiscal feudalism alienated people- distraint of knighthood, Ship Money 1634 - Hampden
Case 1637
● Collapse of ship money 1639 - after the Hampden case people refused to pay taxes.
● Civil war - wasted early financial advantage (rich royalists) with failure to prosecute war
against London.
Counterpoint:
❖ He increased revenue from 600k-900k during personal rule
❖ Parliament had more resources in the civil war - control over London, navy and new
assessment/excise tax.
Building support from the political nation
● Refuses to give royal assent to Petition of Right, 1628
● Three resolutions 1629 - arrested leaders i.e Edward Coke and John Eliot.
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