Chapter 16 Absolutism and Constitutionalism Absolutism First

Constitutionalism

Queen Elizabeth I to her troops before meeting the Spanish Armada – Let tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects. And therefore I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down, for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood, even the dust. I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realms: to which, rather than any dishonor should grow by me, I myself will take up arms; I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, by your forwardness, that you have deserved rewards and crowns; and we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you....we shall shortly have a famous victory over the enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

James I in a speech to Parliament - “The state of Monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon earth and sit upon God’s throne, but even by God himself they are called gods.... “Kings are justly called gods for that they exercise a manner or resemblance of Divine power upon earth; for if you will consider the attributes to God you shall see how they agree in the person of a king...

God hath power to create or destroy, make or unmake, at his pleasure; to give life or send death; to judge us all, and to be judged nor accomptable to none; to raise low things and to make high things low at his pleasure; and to God are both soul and body due. And the like power have kings; they make and unmake their subjects; they have power of raising and casting down; of life and death; judges over all their subjects and in all causes, and yet accountable to none but God only.

... Our privileges and liberties are our right and due inheritance, no less than our very lands and goods... That they cannot be withheld from us, denied, or impaired, but with apparent wrong to the whole state of the realm.

Petition of Right: No forced loans from the people to the king No detaining individuals (imprisonment or a trial) without just cause (a good, fact- based reason) Citizens do not need to billet soldiers in their homes without their consent

Cavaliers vs. Roundheads Aristocratic Anglican or leaned Catholic Supported the king Ordinary men Puritan Supported Parliament Advocated democracy

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John Locke, Second Treatise on Government “Political power is that power, which every man having in the state of nature, has given up into the hands of the society, and therein to the governors, whom the society hath set over itself, with this explicit or tacit trust, that it shall be employed for their good.” [The government] must “preserve the members of that society in their lives, liberties and possessions”...

“But if a long train of abuses, prevarications and artifices [by the monarch], all tending the same way, make the design visible to the people, and they cannot but feel what they lie under, and see whither they are going; it is not to be wondered at, that they should then rouse themselves, and endeavour to put the rule into such hands which may secure to them the ends for which government was first erected...”

The English Bill of Rights, 1689 the pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by regal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal; That levying money for or to the use of the Crown by pretence of prerogative, without grant of Parliament... is illegal; That the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of Parliament, is against law;

That the subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law; That election of members of Parliament ought to be free; That the freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament; That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted;