Understanding the Rise of Parliament
The Role of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I was a skilled leader during her time as queen. She knew how to work with Parliament, which is made up of two parts: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
- House of Lords: This group includes nobles and bishops.
- House of Commons: This group represents ordinary people, and during Elizabeth’s reign, it was becoming more Protestant in its beliefs.
Elizabeth I carefully balanced her own ideas with those of Parliament. She understood that to be a successful ruler, she needed to listen to different viewpoints.
James I and Charles I
After Elizabeth I, James I became king. He and his son, Charles I, were not as skilled at dealing with Parliament. Both of them believed in the ‘Divine Right of Kings’. This idea means that they thought kings were chosen by God and did not need to ask Parliament for permission to make decisions.
When Charles I became king, he wanted to rule without having to work with Parliament. This led to problems:
- Ignoring Parliament: Charles tried to make decisions on his own, especially about religion and foreign affairs.
- Raising Money: For 11 years, he found ways to collect money without Parliament’s permission, which angered many people.
- Trouble in Scotland: Eventually, conflicts in Scotland forced him to call Parliament back into session.
Key Points to Remember
- Elizabeth I was good at balancing her views with those of Parliament.
- James I and Charles I believed they could rule without Parliament’s help.
- Charles I tried to raise money without Parliament for many years.
- Trouble in Scotland made Charles I need Parliament again.
Questions for Students
Easy Level Questions
- Who was a skilled manager of Parliament?
- A) James I
- B) Charles I
- C) Elizabeth I
- D) Henry VIII
- What are the two parts of Parliament?
- A) House of Lords and House of Commons
- B) House of Kings and House of Nobles
- C) House of Lords and House of Peasants
- D) House of Nobles and House of Commons
- What religion was becoming more popular in the House of Commons during Elizabeth’s reign?
- A) Catholicism
- B) Protestantism
- C) Judaism
- D) Buddhism
- What did James I and Charles I believe in?
- A) Democracy
- B) Divine Right of Kings
- C) Parliament supremacy
- D) Equality for all
- Why did Charles I call Parliament back after 11 years?
- A) He wanted their support.
- B) There was trouble in Scotland.
- C) He was bored.
- D) He lost a bet.
- What was Charles I trying to do without Parliament?
- A) Make friends
- B) Raise money
- C) Build a house
- D) Write a book
- Who were the members of the House of Lords?
- A) Common people
- B) Nobles and bishops
- C) Farmers
- D) Merchants
- What did Elizabeth I balance during her reign?
- A) Her wishes against Parliament’s views
- B) Money and time
- C) Food and drink
- D) Friends and enemies
- Who was the son of James I?
- A) Charles I
- B) Henry VIII
- C) Edward VI
- D) William I
- How long did Charles I rule without Parliament?
- A) 5 years
- B) 11 years
- C) 15 years
- D) 20 years
Medium Level Questions
- What was a major reason Charles I faced trouble with Parliament?
- A) He was too generous.
- B) He wanted to change religious policies.
- C) He didn’t like Parliament’s food.
- D) He wanted to move to Scotland.
- What does the term ‘Divine Right of Kings’ imply?
- A) Kings must consult with the people.
- B) Kings are chosen by God and should not answer to Parliament.
- C) Kings are elected by Parliament.
- D) Kings can be replaced by Parliament.
- How did Elizabeth I maintain support from Parliament?
- A) By ignoring their opinions.
- B) By balancing her views with theirs.
- C) By threatening them.
- D) By giving them money.
- What was one consequence of Charles I ruling without Parliament?
- A) People loved him more.
- B) He became very wealthy.
- C) He faced increasing opposition.
- D) He built more castles.
- In which country was Charles I facing trouble that led him to call Parliament?
- A) England
- B) Wales
- C) Scotland
- D) Ireland
- Which religious group did the House of Commons favor during Elizabeth’s time?
- A) Catholics
- B) Protestants
- C) Anglicans
- D) Methodists
- What strategy did Charles I use to raise money?
- A) Taxes from the common people
- B) Asking Parliament for funds
- C) Selling land and properties
- D) Finding alternative methods without Parliament’s approval
- What was a key difference between Elizabeth I and her successors regarding Parliament?
- A) Elizabeth I worked with Parliament; James I and Charles I did not.
- B) Elizabeth I ignored Parliament; James I and Charles I worked closely with it.
- C) Elizabeth I never called Parliament; her successors did.
- D) Elizabeth I was a king; her successors were queens.
- What effect did Charles I’s actions have on his relationship with Parliament?
- A) It strengthened their bond.
- B) It created conflict and distrust.
- C) It made them love him more.
- D) It had no effect at all.
- Why was Parliament important during the reign of Elizabeth I?
- A) It provided her with entertainment.
- B) It helped her make laws and govern the country.
- C) It raised money for her travels.
- D) It was only a formality and not important.
Hard Level Questions
- What major conflict arose from Charles I’s belief in the Divine Right of Kings?
- A) The English Civil War
- B) The Spanish Armada
- C) The War of the Roses
- D) The Hundred Years’ War
- How did Charles I’s attempt to rule without Parliament affect his reign?
- A) It led to a peaceful kingdom.
- B) It resulted in a stronger monarchy.
- C) It caused significant unrest and conflict.
- D) It made him very popular.
- What was a significant outcome of the struggles between Parliament and the monarchy during this period?
- A) The formation of political parties
- B) The establishment of a strong military
- C) The eventual development of constitutional monarchy
- D) The abolition of the monarchy entirely
- How did the religious views of the House of Commons influence politics during Elizabeth I’s reign?
- A) They had no influence at all.
- B) They caused Elizabeth to convert to Catholicism.
- C) They led to conflicts with the House of Lords.
- D) They shaped laws and policies towards Protestantism.
- Why did Charles I resort to finding alternative methods to raise money?
- A) He wanted to avoid Parliament’s influence.
- B) He had no advisors.
- C) He was too busy with wars.
- D) He wanted to travel abroad.
- Describe the significance of Parliament in the governance of the UK during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
- A) It was a ceremonial body with no real power.
- B) It was becoming increasingly important in decision-making and law-making.
- C) It governed independently of the monarchy.
- D) It was disbanded entirely.
- What was the impact of Elizabeth I’s effective management of Parliament on her reign?
- A) It led to her overthrow.
- B) It helped maintain stability and support for her government.
- C) It caused major rebellions.
- D) It had no impact.
- What led to the weakening of the monarchy’s power after Charles I?
- A) His popularity among the people
- B) The English Civil War
- C) The rise of new monarchs
- D) The support from Scotland
- How did the political ideas during the reigns of James I and Charles I shape future governance in Britain?
- A) They encouraged absolute monarchy.
- B) They laid the groundwork for modern democracy.
- C) They promoted division among the classes.
- D) They led to the return of feudalism.
- What role did religious conflicts play in the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament?
- A) They united the two.
- B) They caused significant tension and disagreement.
- C) They had little effect.
- D) They were resolved peacefully.
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- C) Elizabeth I
- A) House of Lords and House of Commons
- B) Protestantism
- B) Divine Right of Kings
- B) There was trouble in Scotland.
- B) Raise money
- B) Nobles and bishops
- A) Her wishes against Parliament’s views
- A) Charles I
- B) 11 years
Medium Level Answers
- B) He wanted to change religious policies.
- B) Kings are chosen by God and should not answer to Parliament.
- B) By balancing her views with theirs.
- C) He faced increasing opposition.
- C) Scotland
- B) Protestants
- D) Finding alternative methods without Parliament’s approval
- A) Elizabeth I worked with Parliament; James I and Charles I did not.
- B) It created conflict and distrust.
- B) It helped her make laws and govern the country.
Hard Level Answers
- A) The English Civil War
- C) It caused significant unrest and conflict.
- C) The eventual development of constitutional monarchy
- D) They shaped laws and policies towards Protestantism.
- A) He wanted to avoid Parliament’s influence.
- B) It was becoming increasingly important in decision-making and law-making.
- B) It helped maintain stability and support for her government.
- B) The English Civil War
- B) They laid the groundwork for modern democracy.
- B) They caused significant tension and disagreement.
