662 Outlines of European History Charles I, 1625-1649 Charles's ex- actions and arbitrary acts The Petition of Right Section 116. How Charles I got along without Parliament Charles I, James I's son and successor, was somewhat more dignified than his father, but he was quite as obstinately set upon having his own way and showed no more skill in winning the confidence of his subjects. He did nothing to remove the disagreeable impressions of his father's reign and began im- mediately to quarrel with Parliament. When that body refused to grant him any money, mainly because they thought that it was likely to be wasted by his favorite, the Duke of Bucking- ham, Charles formed the plan of winning their favor by a great military victory. He hoped to gain popularity by prosecuting a war against Spain, whose king was energetically supporting the Catholic League in the Thirty Years' War. Accordingly, in spite of Par- liament's refusal to grant him the necessary funds, he embarked in war. With only the money which he could raise by irregular means, Charles arranged an expedition to capture the Spanish treasure ships which arrived in Cadiz once a year from America, laden with gold and silver ; but this expedition failed. In his attempts to raise money without a regular grant from Parliament, Charles resorted to vexatious exactions. The law prohibited him from asking for gifts from his people, but it did not forbid his asking them to le^id him money, however little prospect there might be of his ever repaying it. Five gentlemen who refused to pay such a forced loan were imprisoned by the mere order of the king. This raised the question Of whether the king had the right to send to prison those whom he wished without any legal reasons for their arrest. This and other attacks upon the rights of his subjects aroused Parliament. In 1628 that body drew up the celebrated Petition of Right, which is one of the most important documents in the history of the English Constitution. In it Parliament called the kmg's attention to his unlawful exactions, and to the acts of
