To obtain means with which to equip a standing army, the King forced
the whole country to pay a tax known as "ship money," on the pretext
that it was needed to free the English coast from the depredations of
Algerine pirates. During previous reigns an impost of this kind on
the coast towns in time of war might have been considered legitimate,
since its original object was to provide ships for the national
defense.
In time of peace, however, such a demand could not be rightfully made,
especially on the inland towns, as the Petition of Right (S432)
expressly provided that no money should be demanded from the country
without the consent of its representatives in Parliament. John
Hampden, a wealthy farmer in Buckinghamshire, refused to pay the
twenty shillings required from him. He did not grudge the money, but
he would not tamely submit to have even that trifling sum taken from
him contrary to law. The case was brought to trial (1637), and the
corrupt judges decided for the King.