A-Level History: Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–49

This material covers the first half of the Stuart century, from James VI of Scotland's accession to the English throne in 1603 to the execution of Charles I on 30 January 1649. It is based on the content of the Stuart breadth and depth options (for example AQA's 'Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702' and 'The English Revolution, 1625–1660'); the later Stuart period, from the Commonwealth to 1702, is not covered here.

The material follows the themes these options examine. Under James I it covers relations with Parliament and the problem of royal finance (the Great Contract, the Addled Parliament, the rise of Buckingham), and religion (the Millenary Petition, the Hampton Court Conference, the Gunpowder Plot). Under Charles I it covers the war years of 1625–29, the Forced Loan and the Petition of Right, whose key clause appears in the quiz as a short extract from the 1628 text, the Personal Rule with Ship Money, fiscal feudalism and Hampden's case, and Laud's religious policy. It then follows the collapse of royal authority: the Scottish Prayer Book and the National Covenant, the Bishops' Wars, the reforms of the Long Parliament, the Irish rebellion, the Grand Remonstrance and the attempt on the Five Members. The last part covers the Civil Wars and the revolution of 1647–49: the Solemn League and Covenant, the New Model Army and Naseby, the army and the Levellers at Putney, the Second Civil War, Pride's Purge and the trial of the king.

The quiz uses chronology questions, multiple-answer questions testing precise knowledge, a question on a short extract from the Petition of Right and scenarios such as the riot at St Giles'. The flashcards fix the statutes, events and people. The written work sets eight explanation and essay-style tasks, for example on how far Charles I was responsible for the outbreak of civil war, each with a reference answer and key points. The oral exam asks you to argue your judgements aloud, one question at a time, with brief feedback at the end.

Specifications differ in their date ranges and emphasis, so check which parts of the period your own paper covers.

• Explain the financial and religious problems James I faced and how he handled Parliament
• Explain the causes and significance of the Petition of Right
• Assess the Personal Rule, including Ship Money and Laud's policies
• Explain how the Scottish and Irish crises led to the collapse of royal authority in 1640–42
• Explain why Parliament won the First Civil War
• Explain why Charles I was tried and executed in 1649

Practice material written by Zestly, based on the Stuart content of the A level History specifications (for example AQA 1D, Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702), period 1603–49. The quiz quotes a short clause from the Petition of Right (1628).