Charles I's Fatal Mistakes
Charles I's reign was basically a masterclass in how not to run a country. His personal rule from 1629-1640 and constant clashes with Parliament created the perfect storm for civil war.
The Scottish rebellion perfectly shows how Charles dug his own grave. When he tried to force a new prayer book on Scotland in 1637, the Scots went mental - literally rioting in the streets. Charles needed an army to fight them, but armies cost money he didn't have.
This forced him to recall Parliament after 11 years of ruling alone, which was like inviting your worst enemies round for dinner. The financial crisis became Charles's biggest weakness - he was constantly skint and had to keep crawling back to Parliament with his hand out.
Key Point: Charles's inability to manage money without Parliament gave MPs the power to challenge royal authority.
Ship money was another disaster. Originally an emergency tax for coastal defence, Charles extended it nationwide during peacetime. When people like John Hampden refused to pay, it became a symbol of royal tyranny that united opposition against the king.
