CHAPTER VI

ON THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION UNDER JAMES I.

Quiet Accession of James--Question of his Title to the Crown--Legitimacy of the Earl of Hertford's Issue--Early Unpopularity of the King--Conduct towards the Puritans --Parliament convoked by an irregular Proclamation--Question of Fortescue and Goodwin's Election--Shirley's Case of Privilege--Complaints of Grievances--Commons' Vindication of themselves--Session of 1605--Union with Scotland debated--Continual Bickerings between the Crown and Commons--Impositions on Merchandise without Consent of Parliament--Remonstrances against these in Session of 1610--Doctrine of King's absolute Power inculcated by Clergy--Articuli Cleri--Cowell's Interpreter--Renewed Complaints of the Commons--Negotiation for giving up the Feudal Revenue--Dissolution of Parliament--Character of James--Death of Lord Salisbury--Foreign Politics of the Government--Lord Coke's Alienation from the Court--Illegal Proclamations--Means resorted to in order to avoid the Meeting of Parliament--Parliament of 1614--Undertakers--It is dissolved without passing a single Act--Benevolences --Prosecution of Peacham--Dispute about the Jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery--Case of Commendams--Arbitrary Proceedings in Star-Chamber--Arabella Stuart--Somerset and Overbury--Sir Walter Raleigh--Parliament of 1621 --Proceedings against Mompesson and Lord Bacon--Violence in the Case of Floyd--Disagreement between the King and Commons--Their Dissolution, after a strong Remonstrance --Marriage-Treaty with Spain--Parliament of 1624 --Impeachment of Middlesex Page 266