Synoptic view of Absolutism

Absolutism over the Period

1640's

• Charles I's letters and reactions to them - 1643 &1645 - agreemen with Catholics in Ireland 
• 1/6 of officers in Royalist army were Catholic 
• Charles' intransigence and unwillingness to negotiate
• Influence of Henrietta Maria 

This led to:

• Executing Charles - Man of blood
• Rise in religious radicalism
• Parliamentary victory 
• Aboliton of monarchy, Church and House of Lords
• Politicised religious radicalism 

1650's

• Major Generals - military rule
• Decimation tax to fund MG and Army 
• Drogheda and Wexford 
• Instrument of Government and Humble Petition and Advice - Cromwell allowed to pick successor after refusing crown 
• Death of Cromwell - Charles II not recalled 

This led to:

• Intensified radicalism - "Ideological schizophrenia" (Davis)
• Justifications of the killings in Ireland 
• Martydom of Charles I 

1660's

• Cabal and Montrose - crypto Catholic advisors to the King 
• Exile in Catholic countries - conspiracy theories - French relations 
• Dutch War
• Fall of Clarendon 
• Baroque style of Court 

This led to:

• Charles II dominated by Parliament 
• Succession - the "elephant in the room" 
• Lack of effective financial support.

1670's & 1680's

• Popish Plot
• Test Acts
• Clientalism with Louis XIV
• Increasing use of prerogative power
• Fall of Danby
• Prorogation of Parliament 
• Whigs and Tories 

This led to:

• Exclusion Bill
• Court V. Country/Tory V. Whigs
• Fall of Danby and Charles II's true colour shown 
• Glorious rev
• James II's suspending powers 
• Credibility of dates
• Nature of anti-Catholicism in Engand 
• Modern day Church and Constitution