Chapter 13- Edward, Somerset and Northumberland Flashcards
who was Sir Michael Stanhope?
his sister was married to Edward Seymour.
He was imprisoned when Somerset fell from power and executed following his involvement in Somerset’s attempted coup against Northumberland.
what was the significance of the succession of Edward?
Edward was 9 when he took the throne, Edward Seymour took the throne.
He inherited a difficult country, his country was divided due to religion.
Crown finances had been ruined by expensive wars.
The issue of debasement of the coinage.
Crown sold of monastic lands.
The regency council was set up by Henry in his will, the decision from the council were to be by the majority. There were a number of protestants within this council such as Cranmer.
There were a number of administrators that praised a good working of government.
The great noble families were underepresented within this.
The government was fearful for good order and security, this was evident in Cranmer’s homily on obedience which was published in 1547, there was a requirement for the clergy to reinforce their obedience to the king.
He was in his role from January 1547-49.
what was the significance of the Duke of Somerset?
He was reliant on support from important figures such as Cranmer. This included, John Dudley (Northumberland) who would overthrow Seymour, William Paget he served with both Somerset and Northumberland.
Somerset, within weeks had awarded himself control, he governed largely with members of his own household.
Micheal Stanhope as protectorate was not supported among the government, this would lead to the arrest of the Earl of Southampton.
There was factions within his government, Thomas Seymour tried to turn Edward away from his brother, this led to treason charges against T. Seymour. Southampton was able to be readmitted to the council as he supported Seymour in this.
what were key failings within Somerset’s policy?
He badly handled Scotland.
His arrogant and dictorial manner meant that he created enemies against him, this weakened him in the eyes of those who originally supported him.
Warwick was a key enemy.
in August 1549, Warwick, Southampton and key figures decided that Somerset’s rule should come to an end- he would soon surrender and committed to the tower.
what was the significance of the Duke of Northumberland?
Warwick, found himself to be first in the race to succeed Seymour.
He presided as Lord Protectorate of the council, many of his key supporters were the conservatives, he execercied a second coup with the goal of gaining ultimate power- though it was likely that he feared the conservatives.
The assertive protestant nature of described the protestant nature of the regime.
For for some time he was able to govern an effective government by using the privy council. William Cecil was also used as a key administrator.
Somerset, plotted to revive his old position- though this was a catalyst for his rebellion, Northumberland would become less conciliar.
Enemies such as Paget were sent to the tower.
He was in his role from 1550- 1553.
what was the significance of the histiogrpahy of Northumberland?
Northumberland was often seen to be the “bad duke”, yet Hoak would claim that Northumberland was an extremely able governor. He views him as a major figure in English government, he states that he destroyed himself by the miscalculations that he had in his career.
How did Northumberland gain power?
He was able to suppress the Kett’s rebellion, Somerset asked Northumberland for help, 2 days later he surrendered.
There were balance changes within the council- the Bishop of Ely/ The Marquis of Dorset was appointed to the council, there was a Protestant majority.
by the end of January 1550- Northumberland had gained control of the privy council and took the role as lord protector.
Someset was executed in 1552.
what were the issues with Somerset?
There were grievances:
poor leadership- Somerset alienated key people.
poor foreign policy
favouritism- gave key roles to members of his household
Social policy- led to the rebellions.
what was the key social policy under Somerset and Northumberland?
Vagancy Act- The number of poor people was increasing, this was an attack of vagrants looking for work.
Children of vagrants were taken away from their parents and were made to work as apprentices.
This did order local governments to take a step towards the poor relief.
Enclosure- Somerset was a key supporter of anti-enclosure measures. This was seen to be the cause of key economic problems, this was a key reason behind rebellion.
Northumberland policy- he did not include the anti-enclosure measures, the unpopular sheep tax was repealed in 1550. The Vagrancy Act was repealed in 1547.
How did Somerset’s and Northumberland’s approaches differ?
style of government- Somerset had quasi-royal powers, he used more proclamations than any other Tudor ruler, he obtained sole custody of the dry stamp.
Rather, Northumberland created and government and council that would protect his position.
privy council was by-passed in S’s reign/
Northumberland extended the importance of this, he assumed the king’s power to create new councillors.
The frequent use of parliament was used across both bodies, parliament was not used to destroy the Protectorate.
How successful was Somerset’s policy towards Scotland?
Aims:
To achieve the marriage of Edward and Mary
Wanted to conquer Scotland
avoid war with France
September 1547- Somerset sent a naval land invasion of Scotland, which was in response to Henry 2nd sending 4000 troops to Scotland from France.
There was a swift victory, in order to deal with the threat of Scotland Somerset used the policy of garrisoning, between 47-49 25 were established an 14 more were planned.
This proved difficult with the arrival of 10,000 French troops in Scotland, the poorly defended garrisons were poor.
There was a treaty which agreed the marriage between Mary and Henry 2nd, the troops besieged Haddington, Somerset, Edwrad sent the Earl of Shrewsbury though the garrison had to be abandoned when the English rebellions broke out.
what were the pro’s and con’s of garrisoning?
PROs:
they enabled England to launch rapid raids after Scottish attacks.
this was expected to be a long-term solution to the Scottish Policy.
A permanent English presence would help to secure acceptance of a marriage between Mary and Edward.
There was no taxes, supplies or rents that were taken from the locals living near the garrisons.
CONs:
only two of the garrisons were substantial fortresses.
This policy proved to be more expensive than Henry 8th’s policy of it, £351,251 was spent compared to £235,383 by Henry 8th.
most of the garrisons only had a few hundred troops.
the government found it difficult to recruit English troops, control was also diffcult.
how successful was the war?
Henry 2nd was able to attack Boulogne.
England was left bankrupt
Attempt to get support from Charles V failed.
what was the treaty of Boulougne?
England gave up control of Boulogne for 400,000 crowns.
England agree to pull all of its troops out of Scotland.
King of France no longer had to pay the French pension.
how successfully did Northumberland handle foreign policy between 1550 and 53?
Scotland- hostilities with the Scots were soon brought to a close after the Treaty of Boulogne. in April 1550, Northumberland undertook reorganisation of Scottish border policy.
France- Relations did remain tense, the garrison in Calais was reinforced.
Netherlands- Cloth trade was vital, in April 1550 Charles allowed any heretics to be arrested, there was a consideration of the invasion of Tudor England in 1551, there was a temporary embargo on cloth trade.
by 1552 relations were improved.
relations with Charles V- he was angered by the sharp swing towards protestantism, Northumberland pursued a policy of neutrality.
