1623. Prince Charles and the duke of Buckingham proceeded to Spain in disguise, in order that the prince might see the infanta, to whom he was engaged to be married. They were received with great honour, but the marriage treaty was broken off near the close of the year.
1624. The earl of Middlesex convicted of bribery and oppression in the exercise of his office of lord treasurer.
During about half his reign, James governed without the control of parliaments. Loans, the sale of honours, enormous fines levied by the Star Chamber, and, on one occasion, a benevolence, were among the methods he adopted to secure an income.
Charles I.
D. He was the son of James I. B. at Dunfermline, 1600. M. Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV., of France. Executed at Whitehall, Jan. 30, 1649. R. 24 years (1625 to 1649).
1625. Charles’s first parliament met at Westminster, but was adjourned to Oxford, as the plague was raging in the capital. The Commons granted a supply, but, contrary to precedent, voted tonnage and poundage for one year only. Parliament dissolved because a further supply was refused unless coupled with a redress of grievances.
1626. Second parliament. Impeachment of the duke of Buckingham, the king’s minister, to save whom parliament was dissolved.
1627. Unsuccessful expedition of the duke of Buckingham to aid the Protestants at Rochelle. The king raised money by illegal taxation, and by forced loans: those who resisted the loans were imprisoned.
1628. Third parliament. PETITION OF RIGHT drawn up, to which Charles reluctantly agreed.