Link to 1641 parliament summary.
The Irish Uprising in 1641 that lasted for 11 years was a rebellion against a "Plantation Policy" whereby English parliament sent Scottish and English protestants to take over land in Ireland held mainly by native gaelic and old English aristocracy. The rebellion became a more and more organised massacre of protestants. Parliament under John Pym set up an army to quell this uprising, implcating many of Charles I followers in the rebellion. It was finally crushed in 1662 by Oliver Cromwells efforts in the subjugation of Ireland.
1641 was 1 year prior to the English Civil War, that ended in defeat for Charles I in 1645. He fled to the Isle of Man and attempted an alliance with Scotland to defeat the English Parliament and the Puritans who opposed his catholic tendencies (including his wife Henrietta Maria) and strong royalist behaviour (he believed in the "Divine Right" of Kings and determined that his decisions came directly from God.). This started the second English Civil War after which Charles I was captured, tried, convicted and executed.
English Civil War 1642 - 1645.
Internationally, the Spanish were still a strong seafaring nation at the time, their dominance being continually challenged by the Dutch in the 80 years war that was concluded in 1648. 80 years war..
Two years earlier in 1639 the Battle of the Downs showed victory to the Dutch against the Spanish Battle_of_the_Downs. The Spanish had a large naval presence in Atlantic near the Caribbean and South America, and undoubtedly the Merchant Royal was to have sailed through or past this stronghold of Spanish, whether by agreement or not.
Merchants in 17th Century Mexico.