Edward VI 1547-1553 Flashcards
What did Henry’s last will and testament order?
December 1546, a council of sixteen made up of equal members to be appointed during the royal minority, the line of succession was to be Edward then Mary then Elizabeth then came the collateral heirs, by the third succession act of 1543 the rights of Mary and Elizabeth although illegitimate were maintained
Who were Henry’s collateral heirs to the throne?
The descendants of his younger sister Mary to inherit first, Francis Duchess of Suffolk her daughters the three Grey sisters. Then his sister Margaret of Scotland’s grandchildren, Mary Queen of Scots and Henry Lord Darnley
Why was Henry’s death kept secret?
28th January kept secret these days while councillors Edward Seymour, earl of Hertford and duke of Somerset, and William paget, veteran of Tudor government and Henry’s former diplomat, negotiated, they persuaded council that Henry did not wish for a collective government by a council of equals but for Edward Seymour his brother in law to be Protector. Other councillors bought off with new titles and lands
How is Somerset viewed? Compare to Northumberland
Incompetent idealist, inept, of overweening self confidence, high Protestant ideals led him into sharp practices eg trying to destroy Westminster abbey and building Somerset house out of ruined churches, followers were moderate Protestants and stood for paternal social reforms. By contrast Northumberland was more ruthless and corrupt and lacked Somerset’s high ideals but identified with more extreme Protestant elements
How did Somerset fail as a first class military man?
Put intolerable strains on the treasury by his invasion of Scotland which drove the Scots further into their alliance with France eg by victory at the Battle of Pinkie 1547 but had aimed to create a peaceful union symbolised by marrying Edward VI to the Scottish child queen Mary Stuart but she was shipped off to France to marry the dauphin, by invading Scotland he had provoked Henry II of France into declaring war and Henry’s one conquest Boulogne was lost and by autumn 1548 French troops set about recouping all that English held in Scotland
Describe financial problems under Duke of Somerset in 6 points
Crown wealthy during 1540s due to Henry’s great debasement of the coinage and dissolution of monasteries and Henry and Somerset spent around £3.5 million on six years of warfare in France and Scotland, by 1552 the crown was bankrupt and would never conduct such major military campaigns like those of France and Spain, debasement and dissolution contained under Edward because a price rise followed by a boom in export of cloth and wool hastened the enclosure movement which led to unemployment and poverty, land prices increased steeply due to run of bad harvest coincided with setbacks in overseas trade, yeomen and husbandmen could profit from rise in price of farm produce but the cottager class became further impoverished, 1549 rebellion demanded fines and enclosure of common land for deer parks and sheep
Describe religious change under Duke of Somerset in 7 points
Somerset turned out leading catholics from his circle which gained him popularity in London, Thomas Cranmer ordered Henry’s heresy laws and act of six articles to be repealed and as parliament met London mobs broke church images and whitewashed walls and broke up altars and sold off vestments to city tailors which was all encouraged throughout land by broadsheets, homilies published by royal authority ignored mass and roman practice of communion in one kind and an act ordered administration of the sacrament to all those who desired so in both kinds, an act swept away presence of bishops and arranged for their appointment by letters latent issued by king, Cranmer produced fresh Protestant Prayer Book in England and it was enforced by a mild act of Uniformity in 1549, emphasis put on vernacular scriptures and services in English and preaching and pulpit and congregation rather than on altar and priest and sacraments and good works, book of common prayer 1549 dictated decidedly Protestant mode of worship but Howard Duke of Norfolk and Stephen gardiner bishop of Winchester (both in tower) resisted Cranmer arguing the supremacy belonged to the council now not the king
What was the Chantries Act and what happened afterwards? 4 points
1547 ordered some two thousand chantries (chapels in which priests say souls for the dead and properties of all guilds) to be confiscated which caused strong opposition in commons and rebellion in Cornwall, foreign scholars from Germany and Italy like Martin Bucer and Peter Martyr and many supporters of Zwingli from Zurich like Hooper brought into unis to educate new clergy in reformed doctrines, royal chaplains began to read all church services in English, commissioners visited unis to give new statutes but encouraged destruction of images and stained glass windows and church organs
Why was there resentment during Somerset’s time in power?
1548 enquiry into enclosures made him even more unpopular with nobles, Hugh Latimer course of sermons on the iniquities of the rimes highlighted what was wrong with the regime, ketts rebellion 1549 caused by resentment of economic depression and high prices and coinage debasement and religious innovation and social reforms which failed to deliver the promised results and Somerset’s inability to work with the rest of the council
How were the rebellions crushed by Somerset?
Rioting broke out in Norfolk, Suffolk, Devon, Cornwall, most of Midland Shires and in Yorkshire and in the south west and East Anglia the government had to employ full scale military action in which about 6000 perished in a series of sieges ans battles, earl of Warwick future duke of Northumberland took charge of putting down these rebellions with German mercenaries and Welsh gunners which led to the downfall of Somerset because his enemies claimed credit for restoring law and order
What was the Thomas Seymour conspiracy?
Lord High Admiral and brother of Duke of Somerset, married Catherine Parr and hoped to consolidate his power by marrying lady Jane grey to Edward VI and when Parr died he entertained hopes of marrying Princess Elizabeth, January 1549 Somerset disposed of him by act of attainder and the clock on Tower Hill, executed for treason 20th March 1549
When was Duke of Somerset executed?
January 1552 on Tower Hill to be replaced by Duke of Northumberland earl of Warwick who studiously avoided title of protector
Describe Duke of Northumberland’s military successes
As Lord lieutenant of the army under Somerset his forces ravaged the lowlands of Scotland and burnt out Edinburgh and in 1547 decisively defeated the Scots at pinkie, as president of the council of wales he recruited there heavily for the army for the wars against France and Scotland
Describe religious change under Duke of Northumberland in 7 points
Confiscated more church properties, appointed bishops made to pay for their conservations with episcopal property eg see of Gloucester suppressed and Durham refounded which resulted in substantial gifts to Northumberland, Second book of common prayer and Cranmer forty two articles of religion imposed by a second act of uniformity in 1552, clerical vestments forbidden and altars became communion tables, attendance at church enforced by fines and imprisonment for absence, more violent wage or iconoclasm ensued, government would not oubliette Cranmer revised Canon law for the Church of England as Edward and parliament did not trust episcopal courts to impose discipline effectively, continued confiscation Of property of builds and chantries and annexing episcopal lands which led to the founding of some Edwardian grammar schools
How did Northumberland try to subvert the succession?
To maintain the Protestant interest and his own he thought at one stage of bypassing Mary for her sister Elizabeth, tried to repeal the succession act of 1543 and to later or set aside the will of Henry III but this required parliament cooperation and consent of the king so he persuaded Edward to exclude his sister in the name of religion and settle the succession firstly on the male heirs of Lady Jane Grey, the ‘Device’ layer altered by erasure and inserted to read ‘the Lady Jane Grey and her heirs male’
What happened after Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen in London?
Two days later Mary had herself proclaimed queen in Framlingham in Suffolk and within the next ten days the nation made its choice for Queen Mary as rightful successor so Lady Jane grey was only queen nine days, she and her husband put in tower and Northumberland was already there so he was executed for high treason on Tower Hill 22nd August 1553
How was Northumberland successful in his handling of the finances?
His treasurer, the marquis of Dorchester, laid the foundations for fiscal reforms which stabilised the currency and prices and thereby curbed inflation
How did Northumberland Break the trade monopoly of the German Hansa towns in Northern Europe?
Promoted the Russian Company of Merchant Adventurers under the expedition sent out under Sebastian Cabot, Hugh Willoughby and Richard Chancellor which reached Moscow
What did Edward draw up in 1552?
A memoranda for parliament in twelve bills for a reorganisation of government which suggested he may have been an able administrator
How was Edward the single exception with regards to Tudor monarchs?
He was born to rule whereas Henry VII was a usurper and the other three inherited the throne because a sibling died
Describe Edward’s upbringing
He lived apart from his father and family and has his own household which moved between palace and royal houses such as Hunsdon, Hatfield and Tittenhanger. By the age of seven he was practicing Latin grammar and composition by writing to all of his family as well as to his godfather Thomas Cranmer
Describe Edward’s education
Henry and Katherine wanted him to have the best Erasmian education, he was taught by two Cambridge scholars Richard Cox and John Cheke who gave him a formidable grounding in Latin and Greek grammar, he read books of Ancient Greek and Roman orators and writers, he was trained in rhetoric (art in public speaking testing an argument and persuading an audience) and mathematics and French and theology, he spoke French and Italian and likely read some Spanish, he and Henry shared a passion for astronomy
What was Edward’s ‘Chronicle’?
He began fighting this in English soon after he became king but took it up with greater energy in 1551 when he was 13 perhaps under the supervision of John Cheke, this was a jumble of facts and events in Edward’s life and in the activity of his royal court and government, there was a bloodless entry recanting the execution of Duke of Somerset
What two things made Edward’s royal minority particularly controversial?
Successful effort of the elder of Edward’s two maternal uncles Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and Earl of Hertford to appropriate kingly power. Speed and intensity of the full scale Protestant revolution
What is an example of Edward being manipulated by powerful men eg Thomas Seymour?
In a printed pamphlet directed at rebels involved in uprisings in 1549 Edward wrote ‘rule we will because God hath willed: it is as great a fault in us, not to rule, as in subject not to obey.’ which had been scripted for him. When Somerset’s authority collapsed later the same year the duke seized the king and used him to try to face down his opponents in the King’s council
How did it seem when Edward was 14 that he could be a suitable king?
He was briefed by his advisors and wrote papers on subjects they interested him like military campaigns and the reform of the currency
How was Edward possessed by a powerful sense of self in 1551?
When his lord chancellor refused to accept a document signed by the king because it had not been countersigned by his advisors Edward wrote ‘it should be a great impediment for me to send to all my council ans I seem to be in bondage’
What was the ‘Devise’?
Written by a dying Edward (rapid and fatal disease of lungs) in 1553 for the succession. He insisted with some force that the entire political and judicial establishment should sign up to the ‘Devise’ which ignored lawful claims of Mary and Elizabeth and placed on the throne his blood kindwoman Lady Jane Grey who was horrified by this
What do royal portraits of Edward tell us about him?
One portrait of Edward depicts him with the same stance and clothing as his father which suggests he will be a powerful ruler and follow in Henry’s footsteps. A portrait of the family has Edward Henry and Parr in the middle seated and Mary and Elizabeth are separated stood away to the sides just like they were removed from the succession however it is surprising they are even in the Painting which reveals parr’s impact on reconciling the family
What was the Vagrancy Act?
The number of poor people was increasing and the poor were becoming more mobile in response to the rapid development of towns such as London. The Vagrancy Act known as the Slavery Act introduced in 1547 said that able bodied people who had been out of work for three days were branded with a V and sold into slabery for two years. Children were to be taken from their parents and made to work as apprentices. None of these conditions were ever put into effect but were an attempt to alleviate the concerns of landed classes. Local councils ordered to provide housing for all ‘idle, impotent, maimed and aged persons’ who were not vagabonds. Sunday collections in parish churches provided and erection of cottages for impotent poor, arrangements to be made for children of beggars to be brought up in honest callings and an appeal for public works programmes
How did Somerset deal with enclosures?
April 1549 set up commission to investigate enclosures in the midlands as established under John Hales although it failed to bring any cases, in June 1548 proclamations were issued enforcing ask statutes against enclosures for grazing. Somerset passed an act protecting copyholders (tenants) on their own land. Political problem: raised hopes of peasants that government was genuinely protecting them, deeply worried landed classes. Policy of enclosures linked to Kett and Weatern rebellions. Tried to limit number of sheep by imposing poll tax on them Match 1549 (repealed after eight months as ineffective and difficult to enforce)
How did Somerset rule?
His authority not granted by parliament but he ruled by Proclamation as he had control of the Privy Seal and the Dry Stamp which gave royal authentication to rulings. In less than three years Somerset issued over 70 proclamations which led to criticism that he ruled autocratically but his contemporaries at his trial did not accuse him of misusing proclamations. He also used his own household servants as government officials and his style of leadership led to intense opposition
How was Parliament used under Edward?
Frequent parliamentary sessions, used to pass religious laws but not used to establish or destroy the protectorate
How did Somerset debase the currency?
His overriding concern with the Scottish war led him to continue heavy military expenditure, campaigns against Scotland 1547-1549 cost £580,000 and Boulogne continued to be fortified. Policy of debasement continued at full speed but Somerset attempted no reform of government finance
What was the Privy Council like during Edward’s reign?
Somerset came to power with the support of the privy council but effectively bypassed them during his time as protector, the council that he called frequently met at Somerset house rather than in the royal palaces and his group of household servants who he relied upon were nicknamed the ‘new council’
How did Somerset tighten government control in 1548?
Spreading rumours became a crime and so did unlawful assembly
How was inflation a problem when Somerset was protector?
Biggest price rises in food such as cheese and bread and meat, rising population of time contributed to inflation as there was more pressure on resources, this fuelled social and economic concerns and was not tackled by Somerset
What happened when Mary was sent to France and why was she sent?
1548 sent to be Dauphins bride to secure catholic alliance against Protestant England which strengthens auld alliance. Pro French fraction run while she is out of country by her mother Mary of guise which controls Scotland. Strong French presence on Scottish Borders
How was 1549 a crisis year for Somerset?
Two regional rebellions and kett rebellion turned into series of rebellions, Somerset easy to blame as government was centred on his own household, rebellions timed when French forces in Scotland, noble faction led by Lord Dudley earl of Warwick and lord great chamberlain
Who was John Dudley?
Received various court posts under Henry VIII including master of Horses for Anne of cleaves, on Henry’s death became earl of Warwick and lord great chamberlain, August 1549 crushed kett rebellion which Somerset failed to crush, planning Somerset’s downfall by October
When was Somerset executed?
22nd January 1552
How many councillors did Henry nominate in his will to govern during Edwards minority?
16
How was it easy for Somerset to be appointed lord protector?
Without prevailing influence of a strong kind the concept of a leaderless privy council assuming responsibility for government was alien to these men so easy for Somerset to gain support to be appointed lord protector of England. The council imposed the condition that he should act only upon their advice. By early 1549 councillors were frustrated by his overbearing attitude and his failing policies
Describe religious reform under Somerset
accepted by majority of people, early 1549 Book of common prayer introduced setting England on road to becoming Protestant country and treason laws were relaxed which the populace welcomed but it was viewed by those in authority with concern.
How did Somerset’s policies in Scotland fail?
Combined weight of Scottish and supporting French forces against English troops has a detrimental effect upon function of the garrisons and military costs left the government short of money
