A-Level History Revision Notes – Britain.
Part 01: 1625-29. The Three Parliaments.
Key Events (1625-29).
1625
Charles’ 1’st parliament -1625
o Parliament was quite unhappy for the following reasons:
o The Mansfeld expedition (led by Buckingham) was an embarrassing failure and
exposed Charles’ weaknesses as a king.
o Montague published his book which claimed that all MPs supported Catholicism.
o Charles’ advisor (and his father’s lover) Buckingham was very controversial, with
many MPs viewing him as having too much control and influence over the King.
The Spanish Match (1623)
Buckingham and Charles travelled to Spain unannounced and in disguise to find a
wife for Charles to marry.
The mission failed due to Charles’ fiery temper and inability to compromise.
Charles and Buckingham went back to England and convinced (the then King)
James to declare war on Spain, leading to the French Match which provided a wife.
James I died in March of 1625, with Charles becoming king soon after.
The French Match
Charles I married French princess, Henrietta Maria in May 1625
This marriage worried parliament, as the King’s wife was a catholic.
The terms of the marriage were equally unpopular:
o Charles received £100,000 for marrying the French princess
o France agreed to assist in funding the Mansfeld Expedition
o Buckingham promised to repeal the Recusancy Laws
o Secret promises were made to protect Catholics in England and that
Buckingham would offer support of the Royal Navy to France.
Parliament only grants Charles custom duties for one year, not for life, but voted two
subsidies for war.
This was because they were worried about Buckingham’s power over the King and
Charles’ personality.
This break with convention angered Charles, as previous monarchs had been given
Tonnage and Poundage for life.
Part 01: 1625-29. The Three Parliaments.
Key Events (1625-29).
1625
Charles’ 1’st parliament -1625
o Parliament was quite unhappy for the following reasons:
o The Mansfeld expedition (led by Buckingham) was an embarrassing failure and
exposed Charles’ weaknesses as a king.
o Montague published his book which claimed that all MPs supported Catholicism.
o Charles’ advisor (and his father’s lover) Buckingham was very controversial, with
many MPs viewing him as having too much control and influence over the King.
The Spanish Match (1623)
Buckingham and Charles travelled to Spain unannounced and in disguise to find a
wife for Charles to marry.
The mission failed due to Charles’ fiery temper and inability to compromise.
Charles and Buckingham went back to England and convinced (the then King)
James to declare war on Spain, leading to the French Match which provided a wife.
James I died in March of 1625, with Charles becoming king soon after.
The French Match
Charles I married French princess, Henrietta Maria in May 1625
This marriage worried parliament, as the King’s wife was a catholic.
The terms of the marriage were equally unpopular:
o Charles received £100,000 for marrying the French princess
o France agreed to assist in funding the Mansfeld Expedition
o Buckingham promised to repeal the Recusancy Laws
o Secret promises were made to protect Catholics in England and that
Buckingham would offer support of the Royal Navy to France.
Parliament only grants Charles custom duties for one year, not for life, but voted two
subsidies for war.
This was because they were worried about Buckingham’s power over the King and
Charles’ personality.
This break with convention angered Charles, as previous monarchs had been given
Tonnage and Poundage for life.
