To what extent was Charles I's personal rule responsible for sparking the civil war? The personal rule of Charles I played a key role in the outbreak of the Civil War. During this eleven-year period, tensions increased not only due to religious reform, but also financial pressure. However, events between 1640 and 1642 provided the most compelling reasons for the outbreak of the Civil War, such as the execution of Wentworth and the reversal of the Laudian Reforms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'? Get the original essay The personal rule of Charles I led to rising tensions in the three kingdoms which eventually manifested in civil war. Wentworth's crippling financial policies in Ireland were a very significant factor in the outbreak of the Civil War. By alienating the two main Irish groups (the Old English and the New English), he introduced the New Rate Book which helped to increase revenues from £40,000 in 1633 to £80,000 in 1640. This created dangerous resentment (combined with religious resentment) which ultimately led to the 1641 Ulster Rising. Although the causes of the uprising in Ireland were the events of personal rule, the turning point that ensured the civil war was the events of 1640-1642. The Irish Rising was very important in the English context because Parliament and Charles had a huge debate over who should raise an army. John Pym argued that "mischievous advisors" influenced the king during the Great Remonstrance of 1641. This listed two hundred and four cases and called for the dismissal of all advisors. In 1641, Wentworth himself was executed and named "the most hated person in England", which angered Charles (he never forgave himself for his death). The Great Remonstrance and the execution of Wentworth were extremely important because they showed the breakdown in relations between the king and Parliament between 1640 and 1641. For example, in 1642, Charles sent 200 soldiers to Parliament to arrest five vocal opponents of him . This showed Parliament that Charles was prepared to arrest the MPs (who represented the people) and confirmed the outbreak of civil war as Charles then left London for Oxford to raise an army. It is clear that Charles's policies in his personal reign caused the Irish Rising and were a long-term factor, but the more important short-term factor that actually caused the Civil War was the events that followed in to a large extent, such as the Great Remonstrance. Finances during Charles's personal rule were a very important factor in the outbreak of the civil war. Charles was short of money and the manner in which he obtained it caused enormous resentment, "eleven years of tyranny". Only Parliament could legally raise taxes, which meant Charles used his royal prerogative to raise funds. This is seen in his knightly fees on landowners worth £40 or more per year; monopolies sold to traders (which is prohibited by parliamentary statute); forestry fines imposed. In 1635 the king demanded money from ships in all counties (including those not on the coast). This played a large part in creating resentment, as demonstrated by John Hampden MP, who spoke out against the tax. Charles was a strong supporter of the right to dive and he believed these actions were his legal right, which became extremely unpopular in Parliament. These actions were followed by.’