Reasons why Charles I called Parliament in 1640; the Long Parliament’s…

The idea

Charles called Parliament in 1640 because the Bishops' Wars against Scotland left him short of money and unable to crush Scottish resistance to his prayer book. The Short Parliament was dissolved quickly; the Long Parliament then attacked the Personal Rule of 1629–1640, criticising financial devices such as ship money and religious policies associated with Laud, and resenting the suppression of criticism through the courts. Parliament impeached Strafford and Laud. Rebellion in Ireland in 1641 raised fears of an army and of Catholic violence. The Grand Remonstrance of 1641 listed grievances, the attempt on the Five Members in 1642 showed the breakdown of trust, and the Militia Ordinance and Nineteen Propositions of 1642 divided the political nation. Divisions within Parliament between those seeking settlement and those pushing reform helped turn dispute into civil war.

What earns the marks

• Identifies shortage of money after the Bishops' Wars as a reason Charles called Parliament in 1640.
• Explains that the Long Parliament criticised financial measures of the Personal Rule such as ship money.
• Links criticism of Laudian religious policy to the Long Parliament's grievances.
• Places the Grand Remonstrance, the attempt on the Five Members, the Militia Ordinance and the Nineteen Propositions in the sequence leading to civil war.
• Recognises divisions within Parliament between 1640 and 1642 as a factor in the collapse into war.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treats the Short Parliament and the Long Parliament as the same body.

  Put it right: Distinguish the brief 1640 assembly from the Long Parliament that met later in 1640.

• Assumes the Grand Remonstrance declared war.

  Put it right: Recognise it as a statement of grievances that deepened distrust.

• Places the attempt on the Five Members before the Irish rebellion.

  Put it right: Keep the 1641 rebellion ahead of the 1642 attempt in the sequence.

• Ignores divisions inside Parliament.

  Put it right: Include the split between those wanting settlement and those pressing further reform.

Exam tips

• Read each option against the exact date given in the question before choosing.
• Link each event to the clause it belongs to: money, religion, criticism, or the slide to war.
• Eliminate options that merge two separate events into one.
• Check that the chosen option names the correct body, such as the Long Parliament rather than the Short Parliament.