Henrietta Maria and the English Civil War Henrietta Maria of France

1 henrietta maria , english civil war

1.1 pre-war years
1.2 first english civil war (1642–6)
1.3 second , third english civil wars (1648–51)

henrietta maria , english civil war

during 1640s, kingdoms of england, scotland , ireland dominated sequence of conflicts termed english civil war or wars of 3 kingdoms; within england, conflict centred on rival royalist , parliamentarian factions. henrietta maria, charles queen, become heavily involved in conflict result in husband s death , exile in france. there have been various schools of thought henrietta maria s role in civil war period , degree of responsibility ultimate royalist defeat. traditional perspective on queen has suggested strong-willed woman dominated weaker-willed husband worst; historian wedgwood, example, highlights henrietta maria s steadily increasing ascendancy on charles, observing sought advice on every subject, except religion , indeed complained not make official member of council. reinterpretation in 1970s argued henrietta maria s political role more limited, suggesting king took more decisions himself personally. bone concludes, example, despite having close personal relationship henrietta maria, charles listened on matters of state politics. third, more recent model argues henrietta maria did indeed exercise political power , influence during conflict, less directly more result of public actions , deeds, constrained , influenced choices available charles.

pre-war years

as 1630s came close, relations between different factions comprising english society became increasingly tense. arguments on religion, society, morals, , political power becoming increasingly evident in final years before war broke out. henrietta maria s strong views on religion , social life @ court meant that, 1642, had become highly unpopular queen apparently never commanded intense personal respect , loyalty of subjects .

henrietta maria remained sympathetic fellow catholics and, in 1632, began construction of new catholic chapel @ somerset house. old chapel had been unpopular amongst protestants, , there had been talk amongst london apprentices of pulling down anti-catholic gesture. although modest externally, henrietta maria s chapel more elaborate inside , opened in particularly grand ceremony in 1636. result great alarm amongst many in protestant community.

henrietta maria s religious activities appear have focused on bringing modern, 17th century european form of catholicism england. extent, worked, numerous conversions amongst henrietta maria s circle; historian kevin sharpe argues there may have been 300,000 catholics in england late 1630s – more open in court society. charles came under increasing criticism failure act stem flow of high-profile conversions. henrietta maria gave requiem mass in private chapel father richard blount, s.j. upon death in 1638. henrietta maria continued act in masque plays throughout 1630s, met criticism more puritan wing of english society. in of these masques chose roles designed advance ecumenism, catholicism , cult of platonic love.

the result increasing intolerance of henrietta maria in protestant english society, gradually shifting towards hatred. in 1630, alexander leighton, scottish doctor, flogged, branded , mutilated criticising henrietta maria in pamphlet, before being imprisoned life. in late 1630s, lawyer william prynne, popular in puritan circles, had ears cut off writing women actresses notorious whores, clear insult henrietta maria. london society blame henrietta maria irish rebellion of 1641, believed orchestrated jesuits whom linked in public imagination. henrietta maria herself seen in london, charles , had largely withdrawn public society during 1630s, both because of desire privacy , because of cost of court pageants.

by 1641, alliance of parliamentarians under john pym had begun place increasing pressure on king charles, himself embattled after failure of several wars. parliamentary faction achieved arrest , subsequent execution of king s advisers, archbishop william laud , thomas wentworth, earl of strafford. pym turned attention henrietta maria way of placing further pressure on charles. grand remonstrance passed parliament @ end of 1641, example, did not mention queen name, clear part of roman catholic conspiracy remonstrance referred , condemned. henrietta maria s confidant henry jermyn, had himself converted catholicism in 1630s, forced flee continent after first army plot of 1641.

henrietta maria encouraged charles take firm line pym , colleagues. henrietta maria believed have encouraged charles arrest parliamentary enemies in january 1642, although no hard proof of exists. marquis de la ferté-imbault, french ambassador, keen avoid damage french prestige attack on queen, equally unimpressed charles record on relations france. advised caution , reconciliation pym. arrest bungled, , pym , colleagues escaped charles soldiers, possibly result of tip-off henrietta maria s former friend lucy hay. anti-royalist backlash in full swing, henrietta maria , charles retreated whitehall hampton court. situation steadily moving towards open war, , in february henrietta maria left hague, both own safety , attempt defuse public tensions catholicism , closeness king.

first english civil war (1642–6)

henrietta maria , charles before war, son prince charles. henrietta maria , husband spend of war apart, corresponding letter. hendrik gerritsz pot, royal collection

in august 1642, when civil war began, henrietta maria in europe @ hague, raising money royalist cause. henrietta maria focused on raising money on security of royal jewels, , in attempting persuade prince of orange , king of denmark support charles cause. not during period, suffering toothache, headaches, cold , coughs. henrietta maria s negotiations difficult; larger pieces of jewellery both expensive sold easily, , politically risky – many buyers deterred in case future english parliament attempted reclaim them, arguing had been illegally sold henrietta maria. henrietta maria partially successful in negotiations, particularly smaller pieces, portrayed in english press selling off crown jewels foreigners buy guns religious conflict, adding unpopularity @ home. urged charles, in york, take firm action , secure strategic port of hull @ earliest opportunity, angrily responding delays in taking action.

at beginning of 1643, henrietta maria attempted return england. first attempt cross hague not easy one; battered storms, ship came close sinking , forced return port. henrietta maria used delay convince dutch release shipload of arms king, had been held @ request of parliament. defying astrologers, predicted disaster, set sea again @ end of february. second attempt successful , evaded parliamentarian navy land @ bridlington in yorkshire troops , arms. pursuing naval vessels bombarded town, forcing royal party take cover in neighbouring fields; henrietta maria returned under fire, however, recover pet dog mitte had been forgotten staff.

henrietta maria paused period @ york, entertained in style earl of newcastle. henrietta maria took opportunity discuss situation north of border royalist scots, promoting plans of montrose , others uprising. supported earl of antrim s proposals settle rebellion in ireland , bring forces across sea support king in england. henrietta maria continued vigorously argue nothing less total victory on charles enemies, countering proposals compromise. rejected private messages pym , hampden asking use influence on king create peace treaty, , impeached parliament shortly afterwards. meanwhile, parliament had voted destroy private chapel @ somerset house , arrest capuchin friars maintained it. in march, henry marten , john clotworthy forced way chapel troops , destroyed altarpiece rubens, smashed many of statues , made bonfire of queen s religious canvases, books , vestments.

travelling south in summer, met charles @ kineton, near edgehill, before travelling on royal capital in oxford. journey through contested midlands not easy one, , prince rupert sent stratford-upon-avon escort her. despite difficulties of journey, henrietta maria enjoyed herself, eating in open air soldiers , meeting friends along way. arrived in oxford bringing fresh supplies great acclaim; poems written in honour, , jermyn, chamberlain, given peerage king @ request.

merton college chapel, became henrietta maria s private chapel while based in oxford during civil war.

henrietta maria spent autumn , winter of 1643 in oxford charles, attempted, best could, maintain pleasant court life had enjoyed before war. queen lived in warden s lodgings in merton college, adorned royal furniture had been brought london. queen s usual companions present: denbigh, davenant, dwarves; rooms overrun dogs, including mitte. atmosphere in oxford combination of fortified city , royal court, , henrietta maria stressed worry.

by 1644, however, king s military situation had started deteriorate. royalist forces in north came under pressure, , following royalist defeat @ battle of alresford in march, royal capital @ oxford less secure. queen pregnant future princess henrietta , decision taken withdraw safely west bath. charles travelled far abingdon before returning oxford sons – last time 2 saw each other.

henrietta maria continued south-west beyond bath exeter, stopped, awaiting imminent labour. meanwhile, however, parliamentarian generals earl of essex , william waller had produced plan exploit situation. waller pursue , hold down king , forces, while essex strike south exeter aim of capturing henrietta maria , thereby acquiring valuable bargaining counter on charles. june, essex s forces had reached exeter. henrietta maria had had difficult childbirth, , king had appeal usual physician, de mayerne, risk leaving london attend her. queen in considerable pain , distress, decided threat essex great; leaving baby henrietta in exeter because of risks of journey, stayed @ pendennis castle took sea falmouth in dutch vessel france on 14 july. despite coming under fire parliamentarian ship, instructed captain sail on, reaching brest in france , protection of french family.

by end of year, charles position getting weaker , desperately needed henrietta maria raise additional funds , troops continent. campaigns of 1645 went poorly royalists, however, , capture, , subsequent publishing, of correspondence between henrietta maria , charles in 1645 following battle of naseby proved hugely damaging royal cause. in 2 decisive engagements—the battle of naseby in june , battle of langport in july—the parliamentarians destroyed charles armies. finally, in may 1646 charles sought shelter presbyterian scottish army @ southwell in nottinghamshire.

second , third english civil wars (1648–51)

henrietta maria s court in exile based @ st-germain-en-laye, shown here c.1660 in etching israel silvestre.

with support of french government, henrietta maria settled in paris, appointing chancellor, eccentric sir kenelm digby, , forming royalist court in exile @ st-germain-en-laye. during 1646 there talk of prince charles joining henrietta maria in paris; henrietta maria , king keen, prince advised not go, portray him catholic friend of france. after continued failure of royalist efforts in england, agreed join mother in july 1646.

henrietta maria increasingly depressed , anxious in france, attempted convince charles accept presbyterian government in england means of mobilising scottish support re-invasion of england , defeat of parliament. in december 1647, horrified when charles rejected 4 bills offered him parliament peace settlement. charles had secretly signed engagement scots, however, promising presbyterian government in england exception of charles own household. result second civil war, despite henrietta maria s efforts send limited military aid, ended in 1648 defeat of scots , charles capture parliamentary forces.

in france, meanwhile, hothouse atmosphere had developed amongst royal court in exile @ château de saint-germain-en-laye. henrietta maria had been joined wide collection of royalist exiles, including henry wilmot, george digby, henry percy, john colepeper , charles gerard. queen s court beset factionalism, rivalry , dueling; henrietta maria had prevent prince rupert fighting duel digby, arresting them both, however, unable prevent later duel between digby , percy, , between rupert , percy shortly after that.

king charles executed parliament in 1649; death left henrietta maria destitute , in shock, situation not helped french civil war of fronde, left henrietta maria s nephew king louis xiv short of money himself. henrietta maria no longer queen queen mother young king charles ii. during ensuing, , final, third english civil war whole of royalist circle based st-germain, queen mother s followers being joined old royalist circle had been charles ii @ hague, including ormonde , inchiquin , clarendon, whom particularly disliked. quarrelled ormonde: when said if had been trusted king in england, ormonde, usual bluntness, retorted if had never been trusted king need never have left england. co-location began bring factions together, henrietta maria s influence waning. in 1654, charles ii moved court on cologne, eliminating remaining influence of queen mother in st-germain.

henrietta maria increasingly focused on faith , on children, henrietta (whom called minette ), james , henry. henrietta maria attempted convert both princes james , henry catholicism, attempts henry angering both royalists in exile , charles ii. henriette, however, brought catholic. henrietta maria had founded convent @ chaillot in 1651, , lived there of 1650s.