Edward VI under Somerset Flashcards
What was the government set up in Henry’s will?
Regency Council with 16 people
Who was the first leader of the Regency Council? What was his title?
Lord Seymour (Duke of Somerset). Lord Protector
January Proclamations
1548- indicated no clear policy, issued by Privy Council, JPs and church wardens ordered to enforce existing doctrines of CofE including transubstantiation. Instructions to speed up removal of Catholic images.
Consequences of january proclamations
reformist and catholics angered, more confusion
Proclamation Act
repealed 1539 act that said Royal Proclamations be treated like law
Why did Somerset pass the Proclamation Act?
didn’t want to look like an over-mighty subject making laws for edward
How many proclamations did Somerset pass compared to Henry VIII?
19 a year. Henry- 9
First Book of Common Prayer
most text English version of Latin. Implied traditional Catholic version of transubstantiation. Some new parts like laity receiving bread and wine
Act of Uniformity
1549
Chantries Act
closed town chantries and took wealth 1547
Impact of Chantries Act
short term financial gain, further debasement of coins
Treason Act
1547 repealed old treason act and censorship laws
Impact of Treason Act
created lots of disorder particularly in London. Meetings to discuss religion got violent
Edward’s arranged marriage
Mary Queen of Scots, Scottish nobles didn’t approve so didn’t happen
What did Somerset want to do with France?
form a defensive alliance to isolate the Scots
Where did Somerset strengthen defenses?
Calais, Boulogne, Newhaven
Outcome of Somersets FP
weakening military position in France and chronic shortage of money. Long term the war can’t be won
How did issues with France and Scotland start?
Henry II of France renewed Franco-Scottish alliance, June 1547 sent 4,000 troops to Scotland
English response to France sending troops to Scotland
Sep 1547 Somerset and Dudley lead army to Berwick and advanced towards Edinburgh
Battle of Pinkie
Sep 1547 Scots defeated and Somerset could occupy all main border strongholds but not strong enough to occupy rest of Scotland
Why did Somerset withdraw from the North?
crippling costs and had to recall fleets to Channel
What did the French do after withdrawing from Scotland?
redeployed forces to threaten Calais and Boulogne
How did Somerset raise money for war with Scotland?
Debasement to raise £537,000, tax on sheep and cloth
Why did the financial situation worsen under Somerset?
forced sales of crown lands and increased borrowing
Vagrancy Act
1547 any able bodied person out of work for 3+ days branded with a V and sold into slavery for 2 years. further offences meant permanent slavery. children of vagrants set to work as apprentices. Housing and collection for disabled. Many counties refused to enforce
What did Somerset do about enclosure?
set up a commission to investigate recent enclosures. Rich felt it was an attack on their potential to create wealth. Poor had their hopes raised and were angered by lack of action
Ketts Rebellion
1549
How many involved in Ketts rebellion?
16,000
How was Ketts defeated?
John Dudley took command of Marquis of Northamptons army of 14,000 and crushed rebels
Causes of Ketts
anti-enclosure proclamations 1548+9 and second enclosure commission July 1549
Demands of Ketts
landowners stop enclosure, rents reduced to Henry VII levels, rivers open to everyone, corrupt local officials punished, incompetent priests removed, all bondmen (slaves) freed
Western Rebellion
1549
Causes of Western Rebellion
Cornish feared Act of Uniformity, Devon also joined
Western Rebellion demands
restore Act of 6, restore Latin mass and images, restore old traditions like holy bread and water, return of Cardinal Pole, restore concepts like transubstantiation and purgatory
How was the Western Rebellion defeated?
Lord Russell failed to defeat them in August but got 8,000 men reinforcements. Death of 4,000 rebels
Leader of Western Rebellion
Humphrey Arundell
Leader of Kett Rebellion
Robert Kett local yeoman farmer
