13.1 Royal Authority under Edward VI

Question 1

How old was Edward when he came to the throne and what happened

Answer 1

9, his uncle Edward Seymour was given the reigns of government

Question 2

Why had the inheritance of power been difficult

Answer 2

1. The country was religiously divided
2. Expensive wars with France and Scotland had financially ruined the country
3. The sale of monastic lands for cheap to fund wars compromised long-term security

Question 3

What did Henry originally setup to handle government

Answer 3

A regency council, comprised of 6 Catholic and 6 Protestant members. Decisions were to be a majority

Question 4

What happened to the regency council

Answer 4

It got shutdown and Edward Seymour took the reigns

Question 5

Who did Edward Somerset count on the support of

Answer 5

Cranmer, William Paget and Viscount Lisle.

Question 6

What did Edward award himself

Answer 6

The title of ‘Duke of Somerset’

Question 7

What did Edward award his friends

Answer 7

Patronage

Question 8

How did Somerset reinforce his power in government

Answer 8

• Controlling the Privy Council by appointing Sir Michael Stanhope as Chief Gentleman
• Governing largely with members of his own household

Question 9

How did members respond to the protectorate of Seymour

Answer 9

Not well. They slowly became to resent his method of governing

Seymour had imprisoned the Earl of Southampton which many councillors saw as ridiculous

Question 10

Why did some people fear Law and Order was going to break down

Answer 10

There was no guarantee people would accept the Duke of Somerset.

Question 11

What soon began to appear following Edwards leadership

Answer 11

Factional rivalries

Question 12

What factional rivalries appeared

Answer 12

• Thomas Seymour, Edwards brother
• Earl of Warwick/Southampton and other high ranking nobles decided they didnt want Edward in government anymore

Question 13

What happened with the rilvary with Thomas Seymour

Answer 13

Thomas attempted to turn Edward VI against Edward. Thomas also conspired with the Earl of Southampton, who refused and was re-accepted into the court as a result

Question 14

What were Seymours policy failures

Answer 14

• Foreign policy with Scotland
• Mishandled the 1549 rebellion

Question 15

Why was Seymours personality not popular

Answer 15

He was arrogant and ruled like a dictator. He was ruthless and disliked - as emphasised by the factional rivalries and imprisonment of the Earl of Southampton

Question 16

What were Somersets overall failures

Answer 16

• Policy failings
• Style of Government

Question 17

What did Somersets failing scause

Answer 17

A reduction in support and the emergence of enemies, like the Earl of Warwick

Question 18

What gave Somesets enemies opportunity to mount a coup

Answer 18

His poor response to the 1549 rebellions

Question 19

What happened in August 1549

Answer 19

Earl of Warwick, Earl of Southampton and others decided that somerset shouldn’t rule no longer

Somerest took control of the King, but gave up his power when treason charges were dropped

Question 20

What was the Duke of Northumberland keen not to do

Answer 20

Contain concentrated power as Somerset had done.

Question 21

What coup did the Duke of Northumberland execute

Answer 21

A coup against the conservatives in government because they wished to preside over a regency led by Mary

Question 22

What did the Duke of Northumberland do to extend his power

Answer 22

Assign himself as the Duke of Northumberland and assigned John Gates as Vice Chamberlain of the household to ensure court control

Question 23

Who was assigned as Vice Chamberlain under Nothumberland

Answer 23

John Gates

Question 24

How effective was the DON government

Answer 24

Reasonably effective - John Paget had made changes to the means of operating the Privy Council to make it more efficient - albeit he was excluded from decision making

Question 25

Who became the DON’s key administrator

Answer 25

William Cecil

Question 26

What was Somersets counter-coup

Answer 26

Somerset devised a plan to sit on the throne again. Northumberland found out and executed him

Question 27

What was the impact of Somersets counter-coup

Answer 27

Northumberland became anxious, and adopted a less councilliar form of government and ruled more like somerset had done.

Question 28

What did John Gates hold that was very important

Answer 28

The wax seal, so he could wax documents and pass it as the King;s wishes.

Question 29

What happened to the dispersion of power under Northumberland

Answer 29

Became more concentrated in the hands of John Gates and Northumberland.