Conflicts between Crown and Parliament: failure of negotiations between…

The idea

The Long Parliament convened in 1640 amidst deep mistrust. Negotiations to address grievances like Ship Money failed because Charles I viewed parliamentary demands as attacks on his prerogative, while MPs led by Pym feared royal absolutism. A pivotal conflict was the execution of the Earl of Strafford in May 1641. Parliament used an Act of Attainder to bypass a treason trial, forcing Charles to sign his loyal minister's death warrant. This execution had profound political consequences: it radicalised the King, who felt immense personal guilt, and demonstrated Parliament's willingness to use extreme measures. This destroyed any remaining trust, deepening the Crown-Parliament divide and making a negotiated settlement impossible.

What earns the marks

• Explain the reasons for the failure of early negotiations, focusing on Pym's Junto and Charles I's reluctance to compromise on his prerogative.
• Analyse the use of the Act of Attainder against Strafford as a turning point in parliamentary tactics.
• Evaluate the political consequences of Strafford's execution, specifically the permanent breakdown of trust between Charles and Parliament.
• Assess how the removal of Strafford emboldened parliamentary radicals to push for further constitutional changes, such as the Ten Propositions and the Grand Remonstrance.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Stating Strafford was found guilty of treason in a standard trial.

  Put it right: Clarify that the impeachment trial was failing, so Parliament used an Act of Attainder which only required a majority vote and royal assent.

• Claiming Charles I willingly sacrificed Strafford to appease Parliament.

  Put it right: Emphasise that Charles was coerced by mob pressure from the London crowd and feared for his family's safety, later deeply regretting the decision.

• Treating the failure of negotiations as solely the King's fault.

  Put it right: Acknowledge that parliamentary radicals also adopted uncompromising stances that made a settlement difficult.

• Citing the Triennial Act as a consequence of Strafford's execution.

  Put it right: Ensure accurate chronology; the Triennial Act was passed in February 1641, before Strafford was executed in May 1641.

Exam tips

• When discussing the failure of negotiations, explicitly link the breakdown to the fundamental clash over the definition of the royal prerogative.
• Use the Act of Attainder as a specific example of how parliamentary opposition escalated from constitutional reform to revolutionary action.
• Analyse the role of the London crowd in pressuring the House of Lords and the King during Strafford's trial to demonstrate the influence of extra-parliamentary forces.