Political Consequences of Strafford's death

Political Consequences of Strafford's death

1. Scapegoat

   • Safer to blame Evil Councillors
     • Avoid punishment speaking vs Charles
     • Avoided breaking the "great chain of being" by questioning need for monarchy
       • Direct attack=undermining. Prompt demand from lower order for change.
   • Circumstantial evidence
     • Sir Henry Vane only overheard- "here" could be England/Scotland
     • Inference to connect with conclusion of fact

2. Bill of Attainder: death of Strafford

   • Passed 204 to 59
   • Only 50% MP's vote/absented
     • Saye and Sele feigns illness

3. May 1641

   • ARMY PLOT
     • ToL.
     • 2nd plot: after exe Went- military force v Parli...revealed Oc 1641
   • Charles agrees bill-Parli no dissolve w/o consent

4. Actual consequences

   • Alliance between Old and New English in Ireland, bounded by the hatred of Strafford, now broken
   • Protestation Oath: 1641
     • Bind MP's- threat of absolutism
     • Allegiance sworn to Parli-reformed prot relig.