3.3 - Edward VI - Government and Culture

Question 1

how did Somerset take power after Henry’s death?

Answer 1

• Henry designed a privy council to be a balance of Conservatives and Reformers and to rule by a majority decision
• the privy council was supposed to be made up of 12 equals but Somerset emerged as Lord Protector with significantly more power
• Somerset appointed Michael Stanhope as the Chief Gentlemen of the privy chamber (his supporter)
• this causes resentment amongst others a factional mess seen through the fact that the Somerset’s own brother plotted against him and was charged with treason and executed

Question 2

what led to Somerset’s downfall in the long term?

Answer 2

• two rebellions in two years
• the failure of foreign policy especially in Scotland
• it had seemed like he had stolen power
• he started to use proclomations to get what he wanted which didn’t go through parliament and appeared authoritarian

Question 3

what led to Somerset’s downfall in the short term?

Answer 3

• in 1549 there was a coup to remove him led by Northumberland, Southampton and Arundel
• they arrested him in 1549 but then released him in 1550
• her then appeared to kidnap Edward and move him from Hampton Court to Windsor
• he was accused of treason and executed in 1552

Question 4

what did Northumberland do that made it seem he had not stolen power

Answer 4

• does not take the title of Lord Protector rather just heads up the privy council as the first among equals

Question 5

what smart decisions did Northumberland make

Answer 5

• gave back Boulogne for cash
• put treasons act back in place in 1550
• attempted to deal with economic issues through poor law
• cancelled Somerset’s sheep tax
• supported exploration

Question 6

what blunder did Northumberland make?

Answer 6

tried to alter the succession

• in 1553 it was obvious Henry was going to die and Mary would inherit as a Catholic
• something happens I’m a bit confused but basically Jane becomes Queen for nine days
• this leads to massive support across the country for Mary (only Berwick upon Tweed and KingsLynn don’t support her)
• she easily marched on the capital, Northumberland surrendered to Mary at Cambridge and is executed

Question 7

what signs of radical protestantism were there under Edward VI?

Answer 7

• a big protestant influence at court
• Edward had protestant tutors (Ascham and Grindal)
• well known protestants from across Europe came to England (e.g. Melancthon and Bucer)
• there were prominent radical protestant bishops (e.g. Hooper, Latimer, Ridley and Shaxton)

Question 8

what humanist influence was there under Edward VI?

Answer 8

• Cranmer was very humanist
• in 1547 all churches had to have a copy of the ‘paraphrases’ by Erasmus
• Edward also had humanist tutors (such as John Cheke)
• there were humanist members of court (such as William Cecil)
• lots of publications of metrical psalms
• Latimer produced the ‘sermon on thr plough’ in 1548 that explored the idea of a commonwealth that said people should work together for the common good, denouncing rich land owners