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Difficulty: MediumCharles I and the English Civil War

King Charles I held a firm belief in the 'Divine Right of Kings,' which was a fundamental cause of the friction between the monarchy and Parliament. Which of the following best describes this belief?

  1. The belief that the King was chosen by God and should be able to rule without the interference of ParliamentAnswer
  2. B
    The belief that the King should be an elected leader who represents the religious will of the people
  3. C
    The belief that the King was merely a figurehead and that Parliament held the ultimate legal authority
  4. D
    The belief that the King must be a member of the Scottish Presbyterian Church to remain on the throne

Answer

The belief that the King was chosen by God and should be able to rule without the interference of Parliament
The Divine Right of Kings was the conviction that monarchs were appointed by God and therefore possessed absolute authority. In practice, this meant Charles I believed he should be able to govern and raise taxes without the consent or interference of Parliament.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the political philosophy of Charles I
The King believed in the 'Divine Right of Kings'.
This philosophy defined his approach to governance and his relationship with his subjects.
2
Define the source of authority in this philosophy
Authority is derived directly from God, not from the people or Parliament.
Understanding the source of power explains why Charles I felt he could rule without calling Parliament for 11 years.
3
Analyze the practical implication of this belief
The King should rule according to his own conscience without being restricted by law-making bodies.
This lack of accountability was the primary trigger for the constitutional crisis that led to the Civil War.

Key Concept

The Divine Right of Kings
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Charles I and the English Civil War

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