ABSTRACT
King Charles was well aware of Pembroke’s power and influence, and of his reputation in the country. On 9 April 1625, Charles appointed Pembroke to a special commission of five Privy Councillors to consider the most important business of the government. Buckingham and Charles, although keen to obtain parliamentary subsidies, had unwisely left the councillors in the Commons without any specific instructions about what subsidies were required. Charles and Buckingham wanted a land war on the Continent, involving grand alliances and even grander expenditures; parliament wanted an inexpensive naval war combined with a defensive build-up in Britain. Sir Robert Mansell even went so far as to defend Buckingham and Charles’ military policy. The growing anti-Catholic feelings of the nation were further provoked when Charles made himself the champion of Arminianism. The York House conference showed that Buckingham and Charles were clearly moving towards Arminianism, and this revelation had an immediate impact on parliament.
