Edward VI Flashcards
What is the historiography around Somerset?
Was historically known as the ‘good duke’ as he cared for the poor
Why did Edward have a difficult inheritance?
The country was divided religiously, crown finances were ruined by wars, debased coinage led to inflation and the crown had sold off monastic lands on discount to raise money quickly
What was the Regency Council?
Council set up by HVIII for Edward with a balance of Protestants and Conservatives
What were the problem with the accession of a 9-yr-old?
Was a minor so could be an easy target to invade
Who was Edward Seymour?
Earl of Hertford, Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector
Who was John Dudley?
Viscount Lisle, Earl of Warwick, Duke of Northumberland, Lord President
What were the religious reforms under Somerset?
(1)
Was sympathetic to reformist ideas but knew major changes would lead to divisions
Nov 1547 - Parl passed minor religious changes but major ones not made until 1549 Act of Uniformity
What were the religious reforms under Somerset? (2)
1549 Act of Uniformity made English the primary language in worship, offered both bread and wine to the congregation
1549 - moderate Book of Common Prayer by Cranmer established a single form for services within the CofE and translation services to English
What is iconiclasm?
Breaking of religious images, radical Protestants assumed images were prohibited because of 10 commandments
What was Somerset’s foreign policy?
Aim to secure marriage between Ed & MQS like HVIII wanted in his will but Scotland refused this to go ahead
Biggest issue was S (& F)
Eng attack S by building forts and garrisons after F sent 4000 troops to S
1547 Battle of Pinkie - Eng victorious over S but not so significant as couldn’t occupy major territory and garrisoning too expensive
1549 - Somerset withdrew troops due to discontent and Western rebellion
Overall, Somerset failed to secure marriage to MQS
What were Somerset’s biggest issues regarding the economy?
Inflation and increasing size of population
Agrarian issues (enclosure and bad harvests)
Taxation
What was Somerset’s economic policy?
Continued debasing coinage to finance war against S - this heightened inflation and added to social distress, bad harvest in 1548 added to this
Set up investigation for enclosure - this upset commissioners but its rate did slow down
Taxes for Scottish wars = discontent, introduced sheep tax to deter enclosure but this put pressure on farmers to rely on sheep for subsistence
What were the main reasons for rebellions?
Religious motives
Agrarian and social grievances (riots/uprooting of enclosure)
What was the 1549 Western rebellion?
Prayer Book rebellion
In response to new prayer book, wanted to reverse religious reforms
In resentment of sheep tax and grievances over taxation
Somerset responded slowly as he underestimated it and dispatched troops to defend North from Scotland
What was the 1549 Kett’s rebellion?
In protest of land enclosures, hatred of local gov officials and resentment of abuse by landowners
Original attempt to crush rebellion by Earl of Northampton failed so sent army under Warwick to deal with rebels
Kett tried and hanged