Introduction to Stuart Britain

Overview

• Introduction to the course on Stuart Britain
• Focus on the political nation and social basis of power
• Key topics:
  • Definition of political nation
  • Stuart monarchs and their power
  • Influence of the Constitution
  • Social divisions and unrest in the 1600s

Historical Context

• The 1600s in England:
  • Period of civil war, revolution, and unrest
  • Dominated by elite landowners despite being an agricultural economy
  • Significant religious divides: Catholicism vs. Protestantism

The Political Nation

• Definition:
  • Group of people with economic, political, and social influence
  • Generally landowners who could influence policy
• Role of the monarchy:
  • Monarch at the top of the political nation
  • Key Stuart monarchs:
    • James I (1603-1625)
    • Charles I (1625-1649)
    • Charles II (1660-1685)
    • James II (1685-1688)
    • William and Mary (1689-1701)

Power of the Monarchy

• Royal Prerogative:
  • Monarch's power over foreign policy, legislation, and religion
  • Example: Henry VIII as Supreme Governor of the Church of England
• Concept of absolutism:
  • Monarchs viewed as having ultimate power
  • Financial limitations affect their influence
  • Need for parliamentary subsidies for finances leads to tension
• Parliamentary control:
  • Reluctance to vote for subsidies due to potential taxation
  • Parliament represents the political nation

The UK Constitution

• Nature of the Constitution:
  • Uncodified and open to interpretation
  • Comprised of various sources (statute law, common law, conventions)
  • Lack of clarity creates issues during the Stuart era

Social Basis of Power

• Composition of the political nation:
  • Aristocracy and gentry based on land ownership
  • Political nation: less than 50,000 people in a population of 4 million
  • Requirement for income of 40 shillings to become an MP
• Enforcement of power:
  • No physical enforcement (police) in that era
  • Authority generally accepted by lower social classes

Socio-Economic Challenges

• Rapid population growth (1500-1650) led to:
  • Economic inflation, food shortages, unemployment
  • Strain on the class system
  • Harvest failures causing famine for lower classes
• Power of the political nation not heavily challenged despite inequalities
  • Concept of the Great Chain of Being: God ordered social hierarchy
  • Minor riots occurred but generally accepted order

Conclusion

• Summary of key points:
  • Role of the monarchy and its limitations
  • Tension between monarchy and Parliament due to finances
  • Social unrest but limited rebellion against the political nation
• Understanding the state of society in Britain and its impact on the Stuart age.