2nd Parliament of Charles I

The King deliberately set out to secure a more docile body than his 1st Parliament by attempting to reduce the numerical strength of his opponents that were returned to the House of Commons.

The main tactic he employed was to ensure that a number of the people who were potentially troublesome MPs were chosen to be sheriffs of their county.

The newly chosen members of the House of Commons met for the first time at Westminster on 6 February 1626, a four days after Charles’ coronation.

Although this session of parliament had been called by the King to address his financial problems, the Commons continued to have other ideas about the country's priorities.

On 18 March, the house considered the report from the committee for evils, causes and remedies which put forward six complaints about the Duke of Buckingham.