Edward's ascension

Question 1

Who drew up the first uncontroversial part of the will with the kings knowledge and when?

Answer 1

William Paget, December 1546

Question 2

What were the initial terms of the Will?

Answer 2

A Regency council, equally consisting of Conservative and Reformists. Equal power to govern country until Edward turned 18.

Question 3

How were key players able to add in extra details to the Will?

Answer 3

Plenty of space had been left between the clauses and the signature to add in further amendments when the king was sufficiently near death not to be able to stop them.

Question 4

How did Seymour get monarchical power?

Answer 4

He was able to utilise a loophole which gave him full control of the council.

Question 5

What else did Seymour do to secure his own position?

Answer 5

Ensured council was loaded with 15 of his closest allies

Question 6

Who enabled the changes?

Answer 6

Anthony Denny held the dry stamp and was complicit

Question 7

How could you argue that there was not a crisis?

Answer 7

• Third Act of Succession upheld
  • Natural for Somerset to take power as Edwards uncle and successful soldier
  • Considered unrealistic to have 16 equal member regency councillors, difficult to agree, damaging faction conflict

Question 8

Demonstrate Somersets centralisation of power

Answer 8

Obtained sole custody of the dry stamp and tried to insist Edward’s signature was not valid without his countersignature. Attempted to tule w/out Parliament

Question 9

Somerset centralisation of power [2]

Answer 9

Used his own household servants (Thomas Smith) as government officials. He also gave key positions to his most loyal supporters; Sir Michael Stanhope was made Groom of the Stool in 1547.

Question 10

Somerset corruption/selfish nature

Answer 10

He built lavishly, was able to accumulate fees, salaries, offices, and chantry lands and added £5,000 to an already substantial income

Question 11

How many proclamations did Somerset issue in comparison with Henry VIII?

Answer 11

77, Henry VIII 6

Question 12

77, Henry VIII

Answer 12

Effectively bypassed, set up New Council at Somerset House

Question 13

During his downfall, who accused Somerset of [—]?

Answer 13

19 Councillors accused him of ‘malice and evil government… pride, covetousness and extreme ambition’.

Question 14

Who did the Anti-Somerset Coup consist of?

Answer 14

Williams Paget, Wriothesly and Warwick. Little in common, unable to act without events of October 1549

Question 15

Where did Somerset retreat to when he lost hold of power?

Answer 15

Hampton Court

Question 16

5th October 1549

Answer 16

Somerset issued a proclamation summoning all ‘loyal English men’ to defend him and the King.

Question 17

6th October

Answer 17

Somerset moved to Windsor castle, taking Edward with him

Question 18

What did Edward say of his treatment?

Answer 18

(‘me thinks I am in prison’), and that Somerset told him there would be riots in the streets if he fell from power. Somerset could not contradict the King and his removal from power and subsequent arrest followed within a week.

Question 19

How did Warwick reinforce his emerging position?

Answer 19

By January 1550 the leading Catholic members of the Council, the Earls of Arundel and Southampton had been dismissed. Warwick also placed his own supporters in important positions around the King

Question 19

Did Somerset’s fall ensure Warwick’s rise?

Answer 19

No since the Council contained mostly religious conservatives, who did not trust him. Warwick acted quickly to bring in his own allies, ensuring a Protestant majority.

Question 20

How did Warwick exonerate Somerset?

Answer 20

Somerset was initially pardoned by Warwick in February 1550

Warwick declared that any who attacked Somerset, also attacked him.

Warwick restored Somerset to some offices and even arranged a marriage between the families, with Somerset’s daughter marrying his son.