Synopses & Reviews
In a struggle of protest over the government of Scotland, the concept of kingship as Charles I understood it was challenged by the Covenanters. Although many aspects of this episode have received recent attention, Charles's own role has not hitherto been investigated in detail. Using a large body of newly available evidence Dr Donald here attempts to redress the balance, and in doing so offers a substantially new perspective on the Scottish troubles in the crisis years of 1637-41. The collapse of the king's government in Scotland was by no means due to Charles alone. The problems of ruling over multiple kingdoms in a time of social upheaval were immense. The controversial liturgy of 1637 was certain to meet resistance; but what was less predictable was the extensive organisation of protest on national, religious and. legal grounds. Charles's response was nevertheless important in shaping the events of this major crisis in which presbyterianism became established and the king's prerogative powers circumscribed. Critics of royal policy were most ready to denounce the king's counsel rather than the king himself. But the criticism rebounded on a monarch who readily assumed a role of sole responsibility. Charles was especially intolerant of protest against his rule and - despite a poverty of means - was more eager to suppress than to listen to complaint. Principles tended to come before politics. This study sheds light on the processes whereby Charles, with counsel and yet often in spite of it, tried to uphold his case.
Synopsis
The concept of kingship as Charles I understood it was challenged by the Covenanters in a struggle of protest over the government of Scotland. Although many aspects of this episode have received historical attention, Charles's own role has not hitherto been investigated in detail. Using a large body of newly available evidence, Dr Donald here attempts to redress the balance, and in doing so offers a substantially new perspective on the Scottish troubles in the crisis years of 1637-41. This study sheds light on the processes whereby Charles, with counsel and yet often in spite of it, tried to uphold his case.
Synopsis
Using a large body of newly available evidence, Dr Donald offers a new perspective on the power struggle in Scotland between Charles I and the Covenanters.
Synopsis
The concept of kingship as Charles I understood it was challenged by the Covenanters in a struggle of protest over the government of Scotland. Charlesâs own role has not hitherto been investigated in detail. Using a large body of newly available evidence, Dr Donald here attempts to redress the balance, and in doing so offers a substantially new perspective on the Scottish troubles in the crisis years of 1637 41.
Table of Contents
Preface; List of abbreviations; Note on the text; 1. The king and his counsel; 2. The king's troubles; 3. The King's Commissioner; 4. The king and war; 5. A British problem; 6. Parliaments and war; 7. Projected settlements; 8. An uncounselled king; Bibliography of manuscript and printed primary sources; Index.