Final answer:
The conflict between the English Parliament and Kings James I and Charles I was rooted in a power struggle involving religious tensions, authority over taxation, and political sovereignty. The Puritan-influenced Parliament clashed with the monarchy, leading to the English Civil War and significant changes in English governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Conflict Between English Parliament and Kings James I and Charles I
At the root of the conflict between the English Parliament and Kings James I and Charles I was a power struggle that centered around several core issues: religious tensions, authority over taxes, and political power. King Charles I, who succeeded his father James I, adopted policies that increased tensions between the Parliament and the English people. He tried to impose taxes without Parliament's consent and had strong ties to Catholicism, which was opposed by the majority Protestant Parliament.
The struggle was intensified by the rise of Puritan reformers within Parliament, who sought to "purify" the Church of England from remaining Catholic practices. This led to the English Civil War, where a Puritan-dominated Parliament fought against the Royalists supporting the king. After the execution of Charles I, Oliver Cromwell's regime, referred to as the Commonwealth attempted to rule England as a republic before the monarchy was restored under Charles II.
The aftermath of this conflict affected English politics for decades, with Parliament gaining more power and control over the monarchy, culminating in the Glorious Revolution of 1689, which saw the deposition of James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.