England and her neighbours

Spain was the main trade rival, so it was recognized the enemy. English ships had already attacked the Spanish ships coming from American colonies loaded with treasure The English ships were owned by “pirates”, but Elizabeth supported them, sharing their treasury.

Philip decided to conquer England. He ordered to build a big fleet “Armada” to move the army through the English Channel and was defeated twice (1587 Francis Drake).

In general, Elizabeth encouraged English traders to settle abroad and create colonies. England started selling West African slaves to work for the Spanish in America.

Mary’s Stuart son James VI was the next king.

Government and society

Henry VII and Henry VIII used Parliament only for law-making and getting money, Parliament strengthened its authority during Edward VI’s reign.

During the century the power moved from the Lords to the Commons. In order to control discussion in Parliament the king appointed the Speaker, whose obligation was to make sure that parliament discussed what the king wanted and make the decision the king wanted. Until the end of Tudor’s reign the Parliament was to do 3 things: agree to new taxes, support the laws suggested by the Crown, advise the king if the latter ask them for it. In order for Parliament to do the things MPs were given the following rights: freedom of speech, from arrest, to meet the monarch. It was a matter of time for Parliament to challenge the Crown. It led to war in the 17^th century.

Many landlords understood that it was more profitable to keep cattle, so they continued fencing off lands of the villagers. It was illegal, but the JPs were landlords, so the villager lost their lands. Many people became unemployed. The government produced the law that the local sheriff could take any unemployed person and give him to a local farmer who wanted to use him, a person found unemployed for the second time was executed. A worker started at 5 a.m. and was working till 8 p.m. with and hour or two to have a meal. The poor started working at the age of 6.

The stuarts Crown and parliament

The Stuarts were less successful than Tudors. They quarreled with Parliament and that resulted in civil war. James I tried to rule without Parliament. He had strong beliefs and opinions. The most important of these was the divine right of kings.

When Elizabeth died she left James with a huge debt. James had to ask Parliament to raise a tax to pay debt. Parliament agreed but in return insisted on the right to discuss James policy. James disagreed and was successful in ruling without Parliament from 1611 to1621.

Charles I found himself quarrelling with the Commons even more bitterly, mainly over money. At last he was asked to sign Petition of Rights that gave the right to Parliament to control state money, national budget, and the law. Charles dissolved Parliament. Next ten years Charles ruled without Parliament. He balanced his budget and made administration efficient.

In 1637 Charles began to make mistakes. These resulted from the religious situation in the country. Charles I shared his father’s dislike of the Puritans (wanted a democratic protestant church). There were a lot of Puritans among MPs and wealth-creating class. It was impossible for Charles to find this money without Parliament, in return Parliament made the king sign a new law that Parliament should meet once in 3 years at least.

James I colonized Ulster and the Catholic Irish were sent off. In 1641 Ireland exploded in rebellion. Charles I and Parliament were quarreling over who should control the army against the rebels. In1642 Charles tried to arrest 5 MPs but failed. London locked its gates against the king. Charles moved to Nottingham where he gathered an army (The Royalists (“Cavaliers”) Parliament was supported by the navy, merchants, Londoners. In 1645 at Naseby the royal army was defeated.