Why did Charles' relationship with Parliament deteriorate between 1625-1629? There were numerous factors that contributed to the dissolution of Parliament in 1629. Parliament's relationship with the

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Why did Charles' relationship with Parliament deteriorate between 1625-1629?

There were numerous factors that contributed to the dissolution of Parliament in 1629. Parliament's relationship with the monarchy had already been tested to its limits by James I, and the coronation of his 'sickly and reticent' son vastly worsened the situation. Between the years 1625 and 1629, the Monarchy and Parliament came into conflict many times, triggered by a number of different factors.

Many individuals, both King Charles himself and those closest to him, orchestrated a large role in the breakdown of relations with Parliament. Charles had grown up in the shadow of his elder brother, Henry, and only became heir due to his brother's death. Consequently Charles was insecure and sensitive, lacking the qualities of a ruling monarch. His belief in the superiority of Kings, that they were 'little Gods on Earth', meant that he was extremely inflexible in his views, making it impossible for him to compromise with Parliament. An example of this is his refusal to agree that he could collect tunnage and poundage without Parliament's consent. As well as his stubbornness and his misguided faith in the Divine Right of Kings; Charles also placed his trust in unfavourable individuals, Lord Buckingham being a case in point. George Villiers, known as Lord Buckingham, was a favourite of King James and was passed down to Charles, where he received similar preferential treatment. It was no secret that Parliament deeply disliked Buckingham; he had been highly promoted by James, against his birth and ability, and was extremely incompetent. He had accompanied Charles to Spain, in order to negotiate the marriage between Charles and the Spanish Infanta, which was extremely unpopular with English Protestants. The trip was unsuccessful and caused considerable embarrassment for Charles and Buckingham, leading them to declare war with Spain in vengeance, undoing King James' efforts to keep the peace. He also negotiated Charles' marriage to the Catholic princess, Henrietta Maria and led many unsuccessful expeditions, including the ill-managed attack on Cadiz in 1625 and the equally farcical attack on La Rochelle two years later. Charles relied heavily on Buckingham's judgement, lacking himself in experience and diplomacy, which increasingly worried Parliament. Parliament twice threatened Buckingham with impeachment and Charles was forced to dissolve parliament to prevent Buckingham from going to trial. When he was attacked and killed in 1628, Parliament openly celebrated his death; angering Charles and increasing tension between the two sides.
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Religion was one of the most important factors in the conflicts between King and court. Religious troubles had been rife in England for many years, culminating in 1532 with the English Reformation, led by Henry VIII. England since had been a predominantly Protestant country, and Charles I, acting on advice from Buckingham, made himself deeply unpopular with Parliament by marrying a Catholic princess, Henrietta Maria from Spain. Charles' religion was also another point of conflict with Parliament. Charles practised Arminianism, a branch of Protestantism, which seemed to Parliament uncomfortably close to Catholicism. Charles embarked on a campaign to ...

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