17 th and 18 th Century England Turbulence

17 th and 18 th Century England

Turbulence • • 1651 - Breakdown of society 1649 - England beheads their king Civil War in England Eventually, the court is no longer the center of political power nor literary activity

Advancements • Copernican theory of an infinite universe • Gilbert’s studies of magneticism • William Harvey’s studies of circulation of the blood • 1662 - Royal Society set up

Beginning of turbulence • Thomas Hobbes wrote that - Without rulers to keep people in awe, society would dissolve in chaos and life would be poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

Charles I • 1603 - dismissed Puritan clergymen in the Anglican Church – Charles I - James’s son disliked Puritans • Married to a Catholic • Clashed with Parliament as he “was not to be called to account by anybody”

Divine Right of Kings • Charles I believed he had ultimate power • Like his father he clashed with parliament over many issues • Unpopular with the people

MONEY • Charles I waged wars against Spain and France. He exhorted loans from wealthy members of Parliament by threatening them with prison.

People • Charles I lost support and popularity with commoners by pressing them into service to fight his wars. • 1628 - an attempt made to ensure rights - Petition of Right - guaranteed basic rights of Englishmen. • Charles I accepted it but he did not abide by it.

Dismissal of Parliament • When Parliament tried to uphold the petition of Right - Charles I disbanded Parliament and ruled for eleven yaers with no Parliament.

Puritans • Dead set against divine right • Charles had Puritan leaders noses slit, cheeks branded, and ears cropped.

1639 - Scottish Rebellion • Charles needed money to fight the Scottish - called Parliament together • 1642 - Parliament condemned Charles I a tyrant • Charles I fled - 11 years Parliament ruled England with no king

Civil War • Two sides • Cavaliers - people that supported the king - skilled horsemen • Roundheads - Puritans - cut short hair • Oliver Cromwell - a roundhead - took charge of Parliamentary forces • 1645 - Cromwell’s army captured Charles I

January 1, 1649 • Charles I beheaded by radical Puritans who had taken over Parliament • England becomes a republic • Oliver Cromwell becomes the leader of the new English Commonwealth

Discontent • Puritans outlawed – Gambling – Horse racing – Newspapers – Fancy clothes – Public dancing – Theater

Charles II • Scottish rebels, many people of England - especially nobles, and world leaders rallied around Charles II

Cromwell’s reign • Fraught with trouble • 1653 - Cromwell dissolved Parliament and deemed himself Lord Protector • 1658 - Cromwell died • 1660 - Monarchy restored • Charles II had Cromwell’s body exhumed and hung up as a warning

Poets • During this time, there were great religious works produced and poetry. • Poets were caught in the middle of the conflicts • Milton was imprisoned after restoration of monarchy • Cavalier poets were imprisoned due to their unwavering support of their king