James VI of Scotland succeeded Elizabeth first in 16 and three as James I, the first Stuart king of England. During his reign, he united Scotland, England and Wales in one kingdom known as "Great Britain", introducing a common flag and a common coinage. Although James I considered himself above the law and the Parliament, this led to him ignoring the Parliament because he believed he was the representative of God on Earth. He was a Protestant who reinforced the Anglican church, which disappointed Catholics and puritans, resulting in two significant events: The gunpowder plot and the departure of the pilgrim fathers.
Gunpowder Plot
In 1605, a group of Catholic individuals, angered by the fact that James did nothing to improve the situation of Catholics in England, plotted to murder the king. Led by Guy Fawks, they organized the Gunpowder plot to blow up Parliament on 5 November 1605. The plot was detected before it could be executed. The consequence was the emigration of many dissenters to the New World, to escape from religious persecution.
Pilgrims Fathers and Plymouth
In 1620, the Pilgrims Fathers left England for America on the Mayflower and founded Plymouth in Massachusetts, where a new source of prosperity was discovered: tobacco. James I encouraged English and Scottish planters to move to Ulster to cultivate lands.
James I died in 1625, and he was succeeded by his son Charles. He expected absolute religious conformity to the Church of England, and his reign was marked by religious persecution. Charles was a firm believer in the Divine Rights of Kings and therefore ruled without Parliament.
Short Parliament and Long Parliament
Parliament refused to grant him money for a war with Scotland. After resisting for a month (Short Parliament), they were forced to call the Long Parliament. When Parliament tried to reduce his power, Charles attempted to arrest some of its members but had to escape to the north of the country. A Civil War was inevitable, and Charles was eventually beheaded in 1649.
Cromwell's New Model Army defeated the king's army at the decisive battles of Marston Moor and Naseby. After the execution of the king, England was proclaimed a Commonwealth. Cromwell's rule was marked by military dictatorship and wars of aggression. He rejected a proposal to become king but was appointed "LORD PROTECTOR OF THE REALM" by the army. Cromwell's oppressive regime lasted until 1657.
In summary, James I and Charles I's reigns were marked by religious persecution, civil war, and the rise and fall of the New Model Army under Oliver Cromwell's rule. These events shaped English history during the 17th century. For a more detailed understanding of this period, you can study riassunti letteratura inglese pdf, bignami letteratura inglese pdf, libro letteratura inglese zanichelli, libro letteratura inglese liceo pdf, letteratura inglese 1700, autori letteratura inglese 1900, letteratura inglese in italiano, letteratura in inglese, carlo ii, giacomo ii, bill of rights, guerra civile inglese schema, carlo i successore, carlo i religione, carlo i d'inghilterra figli, test act, Giacomo I d'Inghilterra figli, carlo i stuart riassunto, carlo i successore, giacomo i successore, perché carlo i fu giustiziato, giacomo i stuart cattolico o protestante, carlo ii, carlo i stuart mappa concettuale, carlo i religione.
