The Stuart Monarchs(1603-1714)

Eleonora SimionatoLiceo Scientifico “A.Einstein”

4ALS A.S. 2013/2014

The Stuart Monarchs(1603-1714)

Eleonora SimionatoLiceo Scientifico “A.Einstein”

4ALS A.S. 2013/2014

The Growth of Constitutionalism in England

Absolute Monarchy and Parliamentary Crisis: the Stuarts

James I

Charles I

Oliver Cromwell

Charles II

James II

William III and Mary II

Queen Anne

(1685-1688)

The Stuarts

The Stuarts were the first kings of the United Kingdom The Stuart dynasty reigned in England and Scotland from

1603 to 1714, a period which saw a flourishing Court culture but also much upheaval and instability, of plague, fire and war

It was an age of intense religious debate and radical politics.

The end of the Stuart line with the death of Queen Anne. The next in line according to the provisions of this act was

George of Hanover, yet Stuart princes remained in the wings. The Stuart legacy was to linger on in the form of claimants to the Crown for another century.

JAMES I (1603-1625)

The accession of James VI of Scotland as James I of England, united the countries of England and Scotland under one monarch for the first time

James lacked the “common touch” that Elizabeth had possessed

James believed in the Divine Right of Kings = absolutism

influenced by the ruling style of the French monarchs

Led to a power struggle between the king and Parliament

The House of Commons was becoming stronger as the new commercialism increased social mobility and provided a better education

He forbade any interpretation of church doctrine different to his own and made Sunday Church-going compulsory.

Introduced English and Irish Protestants into Northern Ireland

When he died the country was badly in debt.

CHARLES I (1625-1649)

Charles need for money was now so urgent that he accepted the Petition of Right, a statement of parliamentary grievances

He decided to rule without a Parliament and did so for 11 years (1629 – 1640)

He also believed in the Divine Right of Kings and he upset his Scottish subjects

The result of his project was the two Bishops Wars (1639-1640) Charles's financial state had worsened to such a degree that he had no choice but to recall a Parliament whose condemnation of his style of rule would lead the country to Civil War(1642-1649) and Charles I to his execution in 1649.

Although Charles met some of its demands, the Parliament resolved to transform England into a constitutional monarchy.

Civil war ensued on August 22,1642

– Cavaliers vs. Roundheads

– Gentry vs. Middle Class

– Royalists vs. Puritans

OLIVER CROMWELL (1599-1658)

He took the title Lord Protector of the newly formed republic in England, known as the Commonwealth

His parliament consisted of a few chosen supporters and was not popular either at home or abroad

He lay siege to the town of Drogheda in 1649 and killed most of its inhabitants.

Having conquered Ireland he declared war on the Netherlands - England's greatest trade rival. He went on to establish colonies in Jamaica and the West Indies.

He succeeded in establishing a sound reputation for the Commonwealth by the time of his death in 1658. He was succeeded by his son Richard, who had no wish to rule.

After a period of anarchy the monarchy was restored with the accession of Charles II.

CHARLES II (1630-1685)

Charles assumed the title Charles II of England, and was formally recognised as King of Scotland and Ireland

1651: he led an invasion into England to restore the monarchy → he was defeated

1660: he return to England as King Charles II → Restoration.

He is known as the 'Merry Monarch' because of his love of parties, music and the theatre (abolishment by Cromwell)

JAMES II (1633-1701)

James II succeeded his brother Charles to the throne

He had served as Lord High Admiral until he announced his conversion to Roman Catholicism and was forced to resign

James also evaded the Test Act of 1673, promoting Catholics to high office and military commissions

The prospect of a Catholic succession led the Protestant opposition to unusual measures

The Bloody Assizes led to an increasing number of calls for James to be replaced by his son-in-law, William of Orange

William's subsequent invasion of England and accession to the throne is known as The Glorous Revolution

The Glorious Revolution showed that monarchs ruled by the consent of the governed, destroyed the concept of divine right, and recognized the supremacy of Parliament

WILLIAM III (1650-1702) AND MARY II (1662-1694)

Mary is daughter of James II

1688: they were proclaimed sovereigns of England following the Glorious Revolution.

They were accepted by Scotland the following year

Ireland, which was mainly Catholic, remained loyal to James II. William led an army into Ireland and James was defeated at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

QUEEN ANNE (1665-1714)

She was the sister of Mary II and was married to Prince George of Denmark.

She was a committed Protestant and supported the Glorious Revolution

1707: the Act of Union formally united the Kingdoms of England and Scotland.

She was the last Stuart monarch as none of her eighteen children survived beyond infancy.