How did the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament change under the Stuarts?

Under the Stuarts, the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament became increasingly strained and confrontational, leading to the English Civil War.

The Stuart dynasty, which ruled England from 1603 to 1714, was marked by a series of conflicts between the monarchy and Parliament. These conflicts were largely due to differing views on the nature of royal authority and the rights of Parliament. The Stuarts, particularly James I and Charles I, believed in the divine right of kings, which held that the monarch's authority came directly from God and was therefore absolute. This clashed with the growing belief among many in Parliament that the monarch's power should be limited and that Parliament should have a greater role in governing the country.

James I, the first Stuart king, had a difficult relationship with Parliament from the start. He was used to the more subservient Scottish Parliament and found the English Parliament to be stubborn and uncooperative. His attempts to bypass Parliament and rule by royal prerogative led to a series of conflicts. These conflicts continued under his son, Charles I, who also tried to govern without Parliament and even went so far as to dissolve it on several occasions.

The relationship between the monarchy and Parliament reached a breaking point under Charles I. His attempts to raise taxes without Parliament's consent, his perceived favouritism towards Catholics, and his attempts to impose religious conformity all led to increasing opposition from Parliament. This culminated in the English Civil War, a conflict between the monarchy and Parliament that resulted in the temporary overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republican Commonwealth.

After the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament remained tense. Charles II and James II both had conflicts with Parliament, but the Glorious Revolution of 1688 marked a turning point. James II was overthrown and replaced by William III and Mary II, who accepted a constitutional monarchy where the power of the monarch was limited by law and Parliament had a significant role in government.

In conclusion, the Stuart period was marked by a fundamental shift in the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament. The belief in the divine right of kings and the attempts by the Stuart monarchs to govern without Parliament led to a series of conflicts that ultimately resulted in the English Civil War and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. This period was a crucial stage in the development of the British political system and the balance of power between the monarchy and Parliament.