Earl of Somerset/Edward Seymour Flashcards
1
Q
Duke of Somerset/Edward Seymour - relationship with Edward
A
- strict
- limited his pocket money
- gave him no direct involvement in government
2
Q
reformist faction
A
- in strongest position when Henry VIII died
3
Q
Somerset’s popularity
A
- popular in 1547 after victory against Scotland
4
Q
Somerset in power
A
- Regency Council gave power to Somerset following Henry’s death
- Somerset quickly took control go Edward, making himself Lord Protector
5
Q
Regency Council under Somerset
A
- Somerset promoted his own supporters to the council
- e.g. Thomas Seymour, John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, Archbishop of Canterbury Cranmer, William Paget, Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Arundel
- met in Somerset’s house, meaning he was able to control who has contract with his government
- guarded by his retainers
6
Q
Somerset’s style of ruling
A
- ruled England using dry stamp and royal proclamations
- not a sudden change since dry stamp was used a lot in Henry VIIIs last years
7
Q
1539 Proclamations Act
A
said that proclamations had equal force as statute law
8
Q
Religious policy of Somerset
A
- he had to try to please both the reformists and traditionalists, i.e. Protestants and Catholics
- Book of Common Prayer and Act of Uniformity 1549 were vague, hoping to please all worshipers
9
Q
Key protestant steps
A
- Dissolving chantries (financial need)
- acting against ornaments and images (protestant pressure in London)
- clergy allowed to marry again, which enabled more Protestant clergy
10
Q
downfall of Somerset
A
- due largely to his failure to deal with the Kett Rebellion in 1549
- Somerset alienated many in the Regency Council as well
- led to an anti-Somerset faction, including Paget, Dudley (Northumberland) and Wriothesley, conspiring to attack Somerset
- following 1549, Somerset’s power declined, and the Duke of Northumberland gained power and influence in his place
11
Q
Somerset’s death
A
Somerset was arrested, tried for treason and executed in 1552
