Ch 2 James I & Charles I: character, court & favourites Flashcards Preview

Stuart History > Ch 2 James I & Charles I: character, court & favourites > Flashcards

Flashcards in Ch 2 James I & Charles I: character, court & favourites Deck (23)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Qualities of James I

A
  • intellectual
  • outgoing; enjoyed debate
  • pragmatic
  • easy manner
  • good communicator
2
Q

What did Kevin Sharpe say about Charles I?

A

-“he was a complete contrast to his father (James I)”

3
Q

Qualities of Charles I

A
  • shy
  • hampered (speech defect)
  • unapproachable
  • uncommunicative (esp. w/ Parliament & hampered dialogue w/ Political Nation led to the undermining of his authority)
  • unwilling to compromise
  • insecure; limited confidence
  • inferiority complex (made him overstress his prerogative)
  • saw criticism as form of rebellion
  • saw conspiracies where existed or not
4
Q

James I view on Monarchy

A
  • firm believer in Divine Right of Kings
  • defensive of his prerogative
  • pragmatic dealing w/ balance between royal prerogative & parliamentary privilege
5
Q

Charles I view on Monarchy

A
  • firm believer in Divine Right of Kings
  • defensive of his prerogative
  • provocative dealing w/ balance between royal prerogative & parliamentary privilege
6
Q

What did James I see himself as?

A

-the “peacemaker king” (regards to foreign policy & negotiation w/ Political Nation, while defending his prerogative)

7
Q

What was the Bedchamber & why was there advantage here?

A
  • private apartments; where monarch enjoyed privacy & access was strictly controlled (centre of court)
  • men w/ more personal contact w/ monarch were sometimes more influential
8
Q

Who were the Privy Council?

A
  • monarch’s official body of advisors & administrators to oversee policy
  • held considerable power; yet monarch didn’t have to follow advice
9
Q

Who were the Gentlemen of the Bedchamber?

A

-courtiers appointed to wait upon the monarch in his private chambers; individuals had potentially greater political influence over monarch due to position here

10
Q

What was a faction?

A

-competing group in politics; sought the favour of the monarch

11
Q

What was the Court of James I like?

A
  • open & lively (reflected king’s enjoyment of life)
  • lots of physical interaction w/ courtiers
  • intellectual interests emphasised; patronage of Shakespeare
12
Q

Source of tension in James I court?

A
  • early dominance of the Bedchamber by Scots (although elite English held major state offices, they were still concerned about influence of Scots through access to James)
  • financial extravagance (great looking glass covered in diamonds/precious stones Jan 1604)
13
Q

First Englishman James I appointed to Bedchamber?

A

-George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham (in 1615)

14
Q

When was James I reign?

A

-1603-1625

15
Q

When was Charles I reign?

A

-1625-1649

16
Q

What was Court of Charles I like?

A
  • regarded as microcosm (miniature version of his state)
  • strictly ordered
  • included only his supporters (seem isolated from rest of country)
  • offered those outside in no point of contact in political process
  • dominated by Catholics & Arminians (denomination of Protestantism); brought religious integrity into question
  • caused greater political damage because Catholicism at time was strongly linked w/ absolutism (seen in Spain & France)
  • Political Nation was uneasy about having monarch who could rule freely without regard for their concerns
  • patron of the arts (court masque); lavish court & financial extravagance
17
Q

Who was Charles I married too?

A

-Henrietta Maria (French princess)

18
Q

Favourite of James I?

A
  • Duke of Buckingham; based on personal affection (possibly sexual)
  • allowed dominant role in management of royal patronage; forced others to look to Parliament to pursue their interests
19
Q

Favourite of Charles I?

A
  • Duke of Buckingham; (had suffered difficult relationship during James’ reign, but was certainly within Buckingham’s interests to develop his links w/ new heir)
  • allowed dominant role in management of royal patronage; forced others to look to Parliament to pursue their interests
  • Lord High Admiral
  • responsible for foreign policy (& failures)
20
Q

Most important factor in shaping period of rule?

A

-the monarch’s personality (impacted differing responses to issues of foreign policy, finance, religion & parliament)

21
Q

How has James I court been criticised?

A

-as drunken, immoral & debauched

22
Q

Why was Charles I unprepared to be king?

A

-he became heir aged 11 (after death of his brother)

23
Q

How was James I prepared for kingship?

A

-he was already James VI Scotland since 1567