‘The personalities of the early Stuart monarchs were responsible for a breakdown in relations between Crown and Parliament in the years 1603 to 1629.’ Assess the validity of this view.

The court of James I

Answer: James\' court was lively, drunkenly as well as expensive. The court was dominated with scots, with all 13 of James\' gentleman of the bedchamber being Scottish until Villiers\' rise in 1615. James paid his Scottish officials £40,000 annually whilst his English officials only £10,000. James\' court very much reflected his own character as it was expensive and lavish but also relaxed. James spent £3,500 annually on ante-suppers, £1,500 on musicians and in 1614, paid £40,000 for the renovation of Whitehall Palace. During the winter of 1609 and 1610, 21 plays were preformed at the court - who was also attended by intellects such as Shakespeare. Pro: English officials did express some grievances Against: primarily Scottish and too expensive

The Court of Charles I

Answer: Like his father, Charles\' court embodied his own personality as it was quiet, contained and relaxed. Charles court was attended only by his supporters who were primarily catholic or Arminian, which therefore prevented internal scrutiny and provided a religious influence. Charles and his wife participated in court masques where they acted in stories of a fairy tale king who saves the kingdom. Pro: not as expensive as his fathers had been Against: did not represent the country, lack of grievances and gave Arminian and Catholics too much influence over the King.

The Character of James I

Answer: Although only becoming King of England in 1603, James was an experienced monarch having held the Scottish throne since he was 18 months old. James was an intellectual and outgoing man who enjoyed debates and discussions. He was however \'too lavish\' spending £7400 alone on his wardrobe in the first three years of his reign. Pro: he was a cooperative king, and his role as the King of Peace benefitted the country. Against: James was a lavish spender which ultimately made him uncooperative at times (for example the Great Contract.)

The Character of Charles I

Answer: Unlike his father, Charles was a shy individual as a result of his speech impairment as well as a sick childhood which meant he had not socially developed for somebody his age. Although lacking confidence, he was nevertheless defensive over his royal prerogative which as a result made him extremely uncooperative as he saw grievances against him as rebellion. Pro: prior to becoming King, Charles was liked by parliament Against: Charles was hostile as a king and unwilling to cooperate.

James I\'s views of divine rights

Answer: James believed in the divine right of kings, however, he was nevertheless aware that his power were reliant upon parliament, which as a result enabled him to be cooperative. He maintained his title as King of Peace not just through his foreign policy but also his relationship with the political nation. Pro: James understood that to maintain his power, he would need to remain cooperative. Against: James believed he was entitled to certain features such as finances.

Charles I\'s views of divine rights

Answer: Unlike his father, Charles believed that as King, his authority was superior, and that as King, it was be rebellion to question such. He was defensive regarding his authority which made him an uncooperative ruler, an idea which is evidenced by the Personal Rule as Charles was no longer willing to justify himself. Against: Charles was a stubborn King whose uncooperating nature created political instability and division.

The favourites of James I

Answer: Whilst King of England, James\' had two favourites, Robert Carr and George Villiers, however it was the King\'s relationship with Villiers which was the most controversial as the King granted him power for which he was not deserving of at an alarming rate (for example Lord High Admiral in 1619 despite having no naval experience.) Furthermore, Buckingham was responsible for the downfall of Cranfield, who in 1621, had advised James not to grant loans to anybody as the royal debt was at £1 million, despite this, he gave £40,000 to Villiers. Against: Villiers was responsible for the undermining of James and Parliament\'s relationship as he served as a source of tension due to the influence which he held over the King.

The favourites of Charles I

Answer: Like his father, Charles\' relationship with George Villiers also provided a source of tension between him and parliament as he embarked on failed expeditions such as to La Rochelle in 1627, as well as other factors like his inability to secure a Spanish match in 1621. In 1626 and 1628, Charles dissolved Parliament following attempts to impeach Villiers. Against: Charles\' favourite undermined his relationship with parliament whose grievances were not being met by the King desperate to protect his friend.

The Millinery Petition: 1603

Answer: Upon his acceptance of the crown whilst travelling to London, James was met with a group of Puritans who presented the soon-to-be King with a petition which had supposedly 1000 signatures. The petition demanded for the church to be purified from the remaining influence of Catholicism (end of vestments), as well as a religious reform in total. Although James did not want to broaden the Church, he nevertheless arranged the Hampton Court Conference for 1604 to establish himself as a cooperative King in comparison to Elizabeth I who maintained the Church the entirety of her reign.

The Bye and Main Plot: 1603

Answer: The Bye Plot was an attempt to kidnap James and holding him hostage in the Tower of London until he pledged a greater tolerance to Catholics in England. The Main Plot was influenced by rebellions which had occurred in the Summer in the Midlands which saw Catholics wanting to kill the King and replace him with his tolerant cousin, Arabella Stuart. James who wanted to portray himself as a King of Peace, only charged two individuals involved in the Main Plot, whilst 12 others were trialled however never convicted.