During the 1630’s, Charles I experimented with a number of ways to raise money without calling the parliament. One of this ways was to insist on Ship Money. This was a system by which English ports were forced to build and equip warships – or pay an equivalent amount of money as tax. However, when Charles tried to extend the practice to inland towns as well, there was an uproar, which finally led to a court battle.
Do you know what a monopoly is? It is an exclusive right given to an individual or company to trade in a particular commodity. Traditionally, monarchs sold these monopolies or exclusive rights, and the sale of monopolies provided them with a lot of money.
The House of Commons began to attack this practice of selling monopolies, on the grounds that it made things more expensive. Playing cards and dice were two of the commodities on which Elizabeth issued a monopoly, but others were on more necessary items such as vinegar, starch, sweet wines, and salt. By 1601, protests were so strong that Elizabeth was forced to yield to the demands of the House and repeal, or take back all the monopolies that had been granted.
During Elizabeth’s reign, the House of Commons became increasingly confident and assertive. Soon after Elizabeth became queen of England, the Protestants gained full control of parliament. It now became very important to parliament that Elizabeth marry. The Queen did not like it when they tried to discuss her personal life, but the House of Commons insisted that it had the right to do so, because, its members were guaranteed freedom of speech.
Elizabeth clashed with the Commons on other issues too. Although she agreed that its members had complete freedom of speech, she believed that certain issues such as religion or foreign policy were best left to her and her Privy Council. On thirty-six occasions, Elizabeth even vetoed laws passed by parliament.
The mid sixteenth century was a time of religious upheaval in England. Henry VIII had broken away from the Catholic Church in Rome, and established the Church of England. The break with Rome, known as the Reformation, changed the country forever, and also left Henry’s children with an England deeply divided over religion.
Under Henry’s son Edward VI, the Protestants became powerful. However, Henry’s daughter Mary was a devout Catholic.
Parliament during this time went along with the changes in religious policy. Stability was restored only when Henry’s daughter, Elizabeth, came to the throne. She was a Protestant, but she allowed the religious conflicts to cool down, and peace was restored.
Puritanism was a form of Christianity that came to England around 1563 AD. The Puritans believed that God wanted them to lead quiet, simple, serious lives. They spent a lot of their time praying, reading the Bible, and listening to sermons. They did not, have parties, listen to music, or dance. They did not celebrate holidays, not even Christmas or Easter. The growing numbers of Puritans in the house of Commons caused Elizabeth I a lot of trouble.
Thomas Cromwell was a great states-man and, in his decade of power, he permanently changed the course of English history. He was an elected member of the parliament of 1529, and he used his position to influence the Commons on behalf of the government. Henry VIII was able to get parliament to do what he wanted because of the power and influence of Thomas Cromwell.
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