Duke of Somerset Flashcards
How was the country left after Henry’s death?
- country divided on religious matters
- crown finances particularly poor after war with France and Scotland
What had Henry left to run the country in Edward’s minority?
- a Regency Council with 16 members made up of protestants and conservatives
- decisions were made by the majority
What did Seymour and Paget secretly agree whilst Henry was dying?
That Seymour would take power as Lord Protector
How did Somerset stop Henry’s wishes of a balanced Regency Council?
- a bloodless coup d’etat
- bribed other councillors with titles, offices and financial rewards
How was Somerset’s government not too different from the last years of Henry’s?
- used the same men and methods in the Privy Council
What did Somerset rule by?
Proclamation. Many in the council started to resent him, including his brother Thomas Seymour who tried to overthrow him.
What were the real differences between Somerset and Henry’s council?
No effective leadership and existing problems were getting worse .
What created confusion amongst the elites and the general public?
Half hearted religious reform policy.
What 3 immediate decisions had to be made?
- war against France and Scotland
- the question of religious reform
- finding more ways to raise revenue.
Why was there a growing economic problem?
The population continued to increase snd was the main cause of inflation.
Where was Somerset preoccupied?
- preoccupied with war abroad, the unrealistic aims became a financial burden
Where else did Somerset seem unable to take decisive action?
- to suppress well supported uprisings in the West Country and East Anglia
- unwillingness to act has been interpreted as showing sympathy for the poor.
How did the lack of money affect Somerset?
Made it difficult to raise a new mercenary army. He was reluctant to withdraw troops from Scotland and France
