James I and the Stuart Era
James I ascended to the English throne in 1603, marking the beginning of the Stuart period. As a Protestant monarch, he introduced significant changes while adhering to the divine right of kings theory.
Definition: The divine right of kings is the belief that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, making the ruler answerable only to divine power.
Key aspects of James I's reign:
- Introduction of the Union Jack flag and common coinage
- Authorized a new Bible translation in 1604
- Faced the Gunpowder Plot in 1605
Example: The Pilgrim Fathers, a group of Puritans, left England on the Mayflower in 1620, founding New Plymouth in America.
Bonfire Night Tradition
The failed Gunpowder Plot led to the annual Bonfire Night celebration on November 5th.
Highlight: Children create effigies of Guy Fawkes, collecting money for fireworks with the phrase "a penny for the Guy."
Charles I and the Road to Civil War
Charles I, son of James I, continued to believe in the divine right to rule, but his reign was marked by conflicts with Parliament.
Key events:
- Marriage to Henrietta Maria, a Catholic French princess
- Petition of Rights in 1628, limiting royal power
- Dissolution of Parliament and personal rule (1629-1640)
Quote: The Petition of Rights stated that "the king could not imprison anyone without a trial or impose taxes without the consent of the commons."
These tensions ultimately led to the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642.