English Parliament of 1621

Timeline

1. 1621Palace of Westminster · WestminsterJames I summoned Parliament against the backdrop of the Palatinate crisis and the Thirty Years' War, requesting a large subsidy to support Protestant allies in Central Europe and the Spanish marriage diplomacy; the Commons traded supply for an investigation of monopolies and an explanation of foreign policy.
2. 1621Palace of Westminster · WestminsterThe Commons formed a committee to investigate monopolies and court corruption, impeaching Chancellor Francis Bacon for taking bribes; Bacon was forced to resign and was found guilty. James agreed to abolish some monopolies but refused the Commons' deeper questioning on foreign affairs.
3. 1621–1622Palace of Westminster · WestminsterThe Commons passed the Protestation asserting freedom of speech and the right to question foreign policy; James ordered the Speaker to tear up the document and imprisoned several members, formally dissolving Parliament in January 1622 while Anglo-Spanish marriage diplomacy continued.