Addled Parliament

5 April - 7 June, 1614

The so-called 'Addled Parliament' was the second Parliament to be called by King James I. James invoked Parliament to vote him money through the imposition of new taxes, but when Parliament gathered, they refused to grant the money. Instead, they attacked the king's policies and told James in no uncertain terms that they would not grant him new money unless he stopped the practice of 'impositions', or money raised without consent of Parliament.

James was outraged; in his view Parliament had no right to refuse his demands, while the Parliamentarians believed that the king was overstepping his legal rights. Neither side would budge, and James eventually got fed up and dismissed the Parliament before they had enacted any laws. This second Parliament under James was given the moniker 'Addled' because it did not pass a single bill during its brief sitting.

Time period(s): Stuart