THE STUARTS IN ENGLAND

Vocabulary• democracy: a government controlled by the people

• absolute monarch: king, queen, emperor or empress with unlimited power

• tyrant: a cruel and unjust ruler or person

• title: a name showing a person’s rank and position. Charles I forced wealthy property owners to pay large fees to become knights

• Court of Star Chamber: a royal court where people had no rights

• royal prerogative: lets the King or Queen break the law

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• guidelines for the monarchy to prevent abuse of power

• can’t introduce new taxes without Parliament’s permission

• guarantees accused individuals the right to a trial by their peers

• Monarchy must obey laws but “royal prerogative” allows the monarchy to act against the law, especially in times of emergency

Signed in 1215 Why it matters?

THE MAGNA CARTA

• He is a Stuart – a descendant of Mary Queen of Scots

• Ruler of Scotland as James IV

• Catholic connectionsWhy could this be an issue?

• Not a fan of democratic traditions – comes from Scotland where there was no strong parliamentary history

King James I – of England

1603-1625What’s his deal?

THE STUARTS

• Another strong believer in the Divine Right of Kings.

• Not a fan of compromising with parliament

• Had expensive tastes and was often in need of more money to finance his extravagance.

• Bypassed parliament to get money and punish people: raised fees, collected customs, forced loans, sold noble titles, and used the secret Court of Star Chamber

King Charles I – of England

1625-1649Like Father Like Son

THE STUARTS

• The belief that a Monarch’s right to rule came directly from God and that they were God’s representative on earth.

• Ordinary people could not question the decisions of the King because his powers came from God.

“Kings are justly called Gods, for they exercise … a power similar to God’s power upon earth.

For if you will consider the attributes of God, you will see how they agree in the person of a king.

God has power to create or destroy, to make and unmake, at His pleasure; to give life or send death, to judge all, and not be judged…

Kings have the same power… and make of their subjects like men of chess… therefore kings have absolute power.”

- King James I to Parliament

DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS

• Parliament has a long history in England

• It’s a place where the King could consult with the powerful people of the land

• The Magna Carta gave parliament more power. It must approve tax increases. Remember money = power.

• Has two sections: House of Lords and House of Commons

House of Lords:• Inherited their places• Bishops and other high

officials of the Anglican Church

House of Commons:• Elected to represent

people of property• Wealthy land owners and

townspeople

THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENT

Do you agree with James I and Charles I that Divine Right of Kings is the way to rule England? Or would you side with Parliament? Why?

Think about the answer on your own for a minute.

Write it down and….

WHAT DO YOU THINK?