Page:A short English constitutional history for law students (IA shortenglishcons00hamm).pdf/40

Bates Case (1605): James 1. imposed a duty of so much per ewt. on currants. Bates, who was a merchant, declined to pay the duty. The Court of Exchequer gave judgment in favour of the Crown, declaring that a. The King had entire control over forcign trade. b. The royal power was absolute. Case of Ship Money (1637): Under the Plantagenets il was customary for the Crown ta call on various seaports for ships for the country’s defence. In 1635 Charles 1, made a demand on the inland towns to pay money instead of supplying ships, and Jabn Hampden refused to pay. His counsel admitted in his defence tha m times of national danger the Crown might demand the pravision of ships, but he showed clearly that at this time there was no danger at hand, The judges decided in favour af the Crown. Their decision, however, was not popular in the country, and in 1641 the Long Parliament expressly declared that the levying of ship money was illegal.