As the 1600's dawned upon the globe, Spain was a decaying imperial power. This century arguably can be said to have belonged to France and England. One would build a strong navy and military, and take a path toward unrepresentative and absolute monarchy; this was France. The other would develop the greatest navy the world had ever known as well as travel toward constitutional monarchy; this was England. There were many key factors contributing to the development of Constitutionalism in England.
             In England the Catholic/Protestant split had still not been healed and would once again open and decay into civil war in England. Upon the death of Elizabeth I, in 1603, James IV of Scotland, a Protestant, and son of Mary Queen of Scots, became James I of England. James I's political ignorance contributed to a progressive breakdown of the Tudor system and to a polarization of political forces. In addition to James I's political ignorance, there were many other problems which effected peoples attitudes toward Tudor governance. Major economic changes were taking place. These changes allowed new opportunities for highly profitable investments in agriculture, manufacturing and trade. The lesser nobility and merchants benefited greatly from these changes. As a result, they were increasingly tempted to speak up about royal policies and on limiting arbitrary royal interference that limited or affected their freedom of action.
             The structure of the Tudor political system lacked vital elements for effective Absolutism. These key elements included England's lack of a worthy bureaucracy and military force to support the ruler's absolute authority. Furthermore, the central government had only limited control over local government. The local government which was dominated by the local gentry; were jealous of their offices and protective of their local interests. The most serious threat to Absolu
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