2.1 Stability of The monarchy

Question 1

when was the 3rd succession act and what did it confirm

Answer 1

1543 , HVIII confirmed that
if Edward died without heirs the throne would pass to mary.

If the person mary marries is with consent of the privy council, it will pass to her heirs.

If she has no heirs, it will pass to elizabeth and her heirs.

Question 2

What did HVIII’s will do?

Answer 2

Confirm the 3rd succsession act

Question 3

Give examples of past minority kings

Answer 3

• Edward V, aged 12, was put in the tower + probably murdered on orders of his protector
• Henry III and Henry VI both faced civil war, but not until they were actually of age

Question 4

How did Edward’s minority affect national security? both at home and overseas

Answer 4

• couldnt lead troops into war
• threat from other countries as well as civil war, if factional struggles developed, minor would be unable to control them.
• it was difficult to portray him as powerful

Question 5

despite Henry’s desire for a regency council, why was Somerset’s assumption of power unsurprising?

Answer 5

-uncle of the king

• reputation of successful soldier during 1540s wars in scotland
• Henry’s death was kept quiet until somerset had posession of edward.

Question 6

Argument that Somerset’s ascension to power decreased unrest , vs increased unrest.

Answer 6

-it was unlikely descisions would be made in a council of 16 with equal voices + this would encourage more factional unrest.

• It went against henry’s wishes, adding to potential for instability, could encourage others to challenge somerset’s dominance

Question 7

how was somerset able to take advantage of his position as lord protector?

Answer 7

increase his personal wealth and power

Question 8

Who was in the anti- somerset faction, and why?

Answer 8

• Warwick - perhaps wanted power
• Paget - somerset is too soft, dosent listen to others, and dosent listen to me!
• Wriothsley - catholic

Question 9

How did somerset’s retreat to windsor castle seal his fate

Answer 9

• he took edward to windsor castle
• edward fell ill
• edward claimed somerset had threatened riots if he was removed
• edward claimed to be held prisoner
• somerset denied it, but couldn’t contradict the king.

Question 10

How did warwick take power

Answer 10

• brought in his own allies and removed opponents to there was a protestant majority
• used the catholic plot against him as an opportunity to remove catholics
• placed his own supporters around edward
• when somerset continued to plot, he was executed.

Question 11

who did somerset kill to stay in power?

Answer 11

His own brother GASP

• he tried to “rescue” Edward from somerset
• he was executed without trial, which was unpopular