Edward VI Flashcards
Why was it expected that Edward would continue protestant reform?
Since he was raised with protestant tutors from his father. Also received a more protestant regency council.
What were the problems of a minor on the throne?
Factionalism: factions could easily gain control of the Regency Council, thus
dictate what happened in England and Edward was too weak/young to
control this.
Fear of unrest: There was a fear that civil war could occur.
Leadership in War: He was too young and lacking in experience to lead
troops into battle as was the custom.
His Image: He could not be portrayed as powerful or military adept and
there had been rumours that he had been sickly as a child thus some feared
he could still be ill.
How did Somerset gain power in 1547?
On 31 January, the privy council elected him to be regent in order to lead as a clear voice. Seen as an obvious choice since he was trusted and an experienced solder from the 1540’s conflict in Scotland. Also was Edward VI’s uncle.
When and why was the Anti-Somerset faction created?
In 1549 in response to all of the conflict.
The unrest of 1549 caused the ruling elite to become concerned. Included nobles such as Paget and Warwickshire who wanted power and was angered by religious reform.
Also garnered opposition in his handling of foreign policy and the unrest of 1549.
What was the year 1549 nicknamed?
The year of the many headed monster
Why did Somerset loose his position?
Realised he was losing power and so decided to kidnap Edward VI at Hampton Court Palace.
During this, he proclaimed how further unrest would amount at the removal of him and disagreed with the king on matters about the kidnapping which was illegal. Resulting in a trip to the Tower of London.
Edward sneakily escaped the grips of Somerset by up playing his cold symptoms. The monarch dying during Somerset kidnapping him would be a big no no.
How did Northumberland gain power in late 1549?
Stepped up to power and aligned himself with Somerset and not executing him. Thus gaining support from his followers.
Released Somerset but swiftly executed him in Oct 1549 for plotting against Northumberland.
Why was Somerset seen as the ‘Good Duke’?
He established a court of requests at his own household.
Refused to allow anyone to be tortured or burned. Vagrant or not.
Wanted to fix the high rents from inflation (and debasement of coinage).
Abolish enclosure which caused the brokies to like him. This was as he wanted more public land for the servants to farm on instead of them to be enclosed for sheep farming.
How did people suffer from enclosure?
Many poor families in the Midlands and the south had lost their lands and customary rights when landowners had converted fields from open strips for crop production into fenced-off pastures for sheep grazing.
How did Somerset try to help those who had suffered from enclosure of land? Was it successful?
A commission was established to investigate the legality of recent enclosures.
It led to frustration and fury among both rich and poor. The landowners feared that the drift towards enclosure of land would be reversed and this would severely limit their scope for enterprise and wealth creation. The poor had high hopes that the government would protect them against enclosures, but succeeding governments needed the support of the landowners to maintain law and order in the localities.
Religion: What happened in the year of 1547?
The First Attack on Catholicism
Somerset slowly began to attack catholicism in England. The Book of Homilies was created and the treason act repealed. This allowed for more opinions to be spread.
What percentage of Londoners were protestant in 1547?
20%
What was the Book of Homilies?
Published in July 1547.
Included clergy expected to give sermons in English, have an English bible present and to remove any superstitious pictures promoting idealism.
Religion: What happened in the year of 1548?
Radical Activity
Radicalism occurred after the Treason Act was repealed. This was the opposite wanted effect as more people expressed their want for catholicism.
This resulted in restriction in who could preach and in September, all public preaching was banned.
Religion: What happened in the year of 1549-52?
Protestant Worship
Act of Uniformity in January 1549. This ordered that clergy could marry, sacraments were just communion, services were English and singing for souls were stopped. It did cause unrest however.
Religion: What happened in the year of 1553?
A fully reformed church
The 2nd prayer book and Act of Uniformity
were introduced. They removed all traces of Catholicism. The prayer book
was used but did not represent all views. The 42 Articles outlining doctrine
and belief were drawn up but never became law because of Edward’s death.
What were the causes of rebellion?
Population growth: Between 1525-1551 the population roe from 2.3 million to 3 million. The 1st
increase since the Black Death.
Rising prices: The rising population and the difficulty of the agricultural industry providing enough
food led to a growing demand for food and price rises. By 1530 prices had risen by 69% compared
to 1508.
Poor harvests: The failure of harvests led to prices rising further and small villages increasingly in
poverty.
Increasing poverty: Enclosure and a slump in the cloth trade increased unemployment.
Enclosure: The focus on larger farmers and change to sheep farming meant that villages dependent
on this land were left struggling for food/work.
Religion- While the protestant changes were made imposing these changes were harder as the
legislation needed shows. The Western Rebellion of 1549 is a good example of unrest.
Summarise the Western Rebellion, 1549
A large number of people gathered
in Bodmin to protest the Act of Uniformity, further groups gathered in Sampford
Courtenay on Whitsunday to protest against the new Prayer Book. Protests spread
across Devon and Cornwall.
The rebels wanted to restore traditional doctrine and assert a belief in
transubstantiation and purgatory. The mayor of Exeter provided poor relief to
prevent them from taking it. The government sent troops but were slow to get
there as they had to stop other rebellions in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
The rebels were defeated at Sampford Courtenay and 3,000 rebels were killed.
Summarise the Kett’s Rebellion, 1549
Beginning in Attleborough and Wymondham, rioters were
angry at local enclosure. Kett raised 16,000 men who marched to Norwich
and set up camp at Mousehold Heath. They captured Norwich rather than
take the royal pardon.
The rebels were concerned about Agriculture, rising rents, religious changes
and the gentry’s manipulation of local government.
The Marquis of Northampton was sent with an army but failed and so the
Duke of Northumberland was sent. His force massacred the rebels, killing
3,000. Kett was hung for treason but many rebels were treated leniently.
How did the succession occur in 1553?
In 1553 Edward VI’s health was failing and a plot emerged to leave Mary out of the
succession.
Most argue Northumberland was in control as he needed to preserve his power and
he would loose this as a Protestant if Mary returned to Catholicism.
Northumberland married Guildford Dudley (his son) to Lady Jane Grey and
Edward’s will was changed naming lady Jane Grey and her sons his heirs.
Edward died on 6 July and lady jane Grey was proclaimed Queen on 10th July but
this lasted just 9 days.
Why would both Edward VI and Northumberland want Lady Jane grey on the throne?
Since Edward did not want all of his protestant reforms done by his openly catholic sister.
Northumberland would loose all of his power when no longer being regent. He had lots to gain as well since LJG was married to his son, Dudley.
Who was archbishop during Edward’s reign?
Cranmer the Archbishop
He drafted the new English church’s 39 Articles and the Book of Common Prayer. After the death of Edward VI in 1553 he supported Lady Jane Grey’s unsuccessful bid for the throne and was convicted of treason.
What was transubstantiation believed to be?
A protestant version was believed where the blood and wine was simply symbolic. Not the actual skin and blood of Jesus.
What were Somerset’s achievements in religion?
1547, Book of Homilies
Model sermons published to be used for clergy who were unable to preach themselves.
1547, Chantries Act
Act of dissolution revived from Henry VIII’s reign (1545). Contained a new preamble condemning all prayers for the dead.
1547, Treason Act Repealed
Removed the old heresy, treason, censorship and proclamation laws so people could discuss religion freely. Without fear of arrest or imprisonment.
1548, First Prayer Book
Manual written by Cranmer which outlines the liturgy to be followed in services.
1549, Act of Uniformity
Made the common book of prayer the official liturgy. Did stir up conflict though. Most notably, the Western Rebellion of 1549.
When was Edward VI’s reign?
1547 - 1553
Details about the Book of Homilies
Created by: Cranmer
Published: July 1547 - Somerset
Included: Model sermons to be read out by clergy who can not preach themselves.
Details: Was almost in all churches by 1549.
One of the sermons included the Lutheran belief of justification by faith alone. Nobles Gardiner and Bonner objected to this and were imprisoned.
Details about the Chantries Act
Created by: Parliament
Published: Late 1547
Included: Contained a new preamble which condemned all prayers for the dead.
Details: Revived from Henry VIII Act of Dissolution ,1545, in his last parliament.
Why was the repeal of the Treason Act in 1547 a big failure?
As there was no fear of treason, people began to express their interest in Catholicism again. Thus undoing Protestant progress.
What were Northumberland’s achievements in religion?
1552, New Treason Act
Made it an offence to question the royal supremacy or any articles of faith in the church again.
1552, Second Book of Common Prayer
Highly Protestant document as it reduced almost all Catholicism and establish a Eucharist ceremony. Prayers for the dead and wearing of vestments were removed.
1552, Second Act of Uniformity
Enforced the second book of common prayer. It became an offence for the clergy or laity to not attend the Church of England services.
Details about the Second Book of Common Prayer
Created by: Cranmer with advice from Bucer
Published: January 1552
Included: Highly Protestant views and ridded of essentially all Catholicism. Prayers for the dead and wearing of vestments were removed.
Ridded of any Catholicism, conservative ceremonies.
Restriction on the use of church music.
Rewriting the processes of baptism and burial services for simplicity.
Details: Established a Eucharist ceremony in line with Calvin’s belief of ‘spiritual presence’.
Was a turning point in the religion of the country. Legally the country was now fully Protestant but that wasn’t fully practical.
Why was ending of prayers for the dead in the Chantries Act so important?
Prayers for the dead were so vital for the catholic since this would help their souls through purgatory. Without prayers a catholics soul and salvation was in peril. Thus chantries, colleges and monasteries had all been used for prayers for the dead.
After this act, commissioners visited every county and consequently dissolved 3000 chantries, 90 colleges, thousands of minor parish endowments (gifts for the poor) and 110 hospitals. Most chantries were turned into schools or occasionally the money was redirected to parishes.
Caused thousands of confraternities (provided prayers for the dead in a specific group of people) to be disbanded. Over 100 existed in Northamptonshire alone.
Problems in the early Edwardian economy
Population Rise
For the first time since the Black Death in the 1300’s, population rose. 2.3 million in 1525 to 3 million in 1551.
Agricultural productivity could not keep up - causing widespread famine after grain prices rose.
Inflation & Rising prices
Caused by TWO debasements of coinage from Henry VIII and Edward VI in the later years of Henry and 1551 respectively. This was to fund wars.
Decline in the cloth trade eventually.
Enclosure
More incentive to turn over land to sheep farming as the cloth trade grew, overpowering the need for crop growing. Sheep farming required less labourers which caused unemployment.
Decline in living standards
Poverty and Vagrancy
By 1559, purchasing power of an agricultural worker dropped to 59% of what it was 50 years prior.
Half of the population were unable to support themselves.
No more monasteries so couldn’t be helped.
Rising Rents
1508-1530 69% higher.
Poor Harvests
Bad harvests in 1549 to 1551 which contributed to famine.
Influenza and Epidemics
Why was there argument between if England was truly Protestant in the years 1551-53?
Legally, England was fully Protestant. Catholic mass and other ceremonies were banned and in theory, all laity should be following the Church of England.
However only roughly 20% were actually Protestant in 1547 in London which should be the most radical of the twelve realms. Thus more northern counties would likely still be in support of Catholicism. Also a lot Protestants had grievances about the reformation so unconfirmed.
What were Northumberland’s two aims for religious change?
Continue Protestant reforms started under Somerset.
Plunder the church’s wealth.
Why did plundering the churches wealth have a negative effect?
People were wary of donating money to the church if it would not go to anything visible in the church. Also knowing that the money would likely be plundered by the government.
Also as services became plainer with progressing intensity of forced Protestantism, churches attracted less money and affection anyways.
What was the situation of the country when Northumberland came into power?
Still unrest in the country due to bad harvests (and the consequences like famine) and the slump in the cloth trade. Harvests so bad in 1549-51 that what prices doubled what they were in 1548.
Growing tensions within the general population. Gov took harsh stance on unrest with censorship being imposed and military forces being mobilised.
Zero faith in the currency after the debasement of the coinage in 1549 and 1551.
July 1551 there was a sweating sickness in London.
General fear and uncertainty with religion in the country.
What was Northumberland’s stance on finance?
Tasked with sorting out the issues from the debasement of the coinage.
Hired Mr Paulet Marquis of Winchester as Lord Treasurer in Feb 1550.
The main finance plan outlined in 1551 was:
End debasement
Reduces expenditure to match income
Get Edward VI out of debt
What was Northumberland stance on social policy?
Stopped the anti-enclosure measures. Commissioners withdrawn and repealed the sheep tax in 1550.
1547 Vagrancy Act was repealed but continued its provisions to care for the disabled.
By 1551 had taken control of stocks of grains to relieve the harvest crisis.
To avoid unrest as seen in 1549, introduced the new Treason Law in 1550. Used the Lords Lieutenant and retainers of trusted nobles to also keep order.
How did Northumberland utilise the privy council?
Purged the few remaining conservatives on the privy council. Replaced them with military men who were experienced in case of more conflict.
Created an inner council which means some policies could bypass the privy council and go straighter to the inner one. Worked harmoniously with both although there was still little wariness.
Preferred not to use proclamations and made use of parliament.
What were Somerset’s foreign policy aims?
Invade Scotland and combine England and Scotland
Wed Edward to MQS
Avoid war with France
Wanted to avoid any revival of French and Scottish Auld Alliance
What were Northumberland’s foreign policy changes?
End the wars with France and Scotland which Somerset started. Surrendered the besieged town of Boulogne and withdrew garrisons from Scotland.
Surrendered all claim to the marriage with MQS
Overall to keep England out of any more disastrous military endeavours.
What happened with Northumberland and France?
Treaty of Boulogne, 1550 where England would quit with the ‘rough wooing’ for MQS and would leave Boulogne by 1554. Still disliked each other though.
What happened with Northumberland and Scotland?
Northumberland completely undertook rearranging the undefined borders to secure them officially. Agreed to shift the borders to pre Henry VIII raids - Scotland gained land.
What happened with Northumberland and Rome (+ Netherlands)?
Since the break with Rome, relations with Netherlands weren’t great. This was as Charles V was a big hater of Protestantism. Northumberland put a trade embargo on the Netherlands which meant Charles V had to improve trade relations due to the economic pressure.
Had a Police of Neutrality between HRE vs France so legally couldn’t take a side and get involved.
Was Northumberland successful in his foreign aims?
He was increasingly seen as pragmatic and successful as a foreign policy practitioner. Cut England’s losses and focused on the domestic issues without wasting any further funds.
How did Mary swindle herself onto the throne?
Mary immediately was on the move after Edward’s death.
She proclaimed herself queen at Framlington castle and began marching herself over to London.
What support did Mary I have?
Full support of the east Anglian gentry. Although only one noble backed her.
What was Northumberlands mistake which got him arrested?
Decided to march 2000 men to Suffolk on the 14th July to confront Mary I. However they all deserted him in support of Mary I and not wanting to upset the future queen.
Once he was out of London, privy council betrayed him and openly supported Mary I. Northumberland was arrested in Cambridge. He was executed on 22nd August, 1553.
Was there a struggle in the cloth trade in this time?
Yes
Significant struggles ensued. There was a drop in exports during summer 1551 due to trade issues in Antwerp. Led to unemployment in regions like East Anglia and West of England.
What were some of Northumberland’s domestic policies?
Repealed the sheep tax of 1548 in 1550.
Introduced a new Treason Act in 1550 to restore law and order through censorship.
Enforced anti-enclosure legislation and ended unpopular enclosure commissions.
Passed acts to protect arable farming.
Enacted a new Poor Law in 1552, making parishes responsible for supporting the deserving poor.
Why could it argued that Northumberland failed in foreign policy?
Town of Boulogne was militarily and strategically useless but its loss was significant. It was a humiliating abandonment of Henry VIII’s most glorious foreign adventure.
Northumberland gave up Boulogne in return for 400,000 Crowns (much less than what was promised to Henry VIII)
Drastic reductions were ordered in military and household expenditure by Northumberland. Boulogne was returned to France for £133,333 and the garrisons were withdrawn from Scotland, although expenditure on the navy and fortifications continued.
What was Somerset’s ‘stripping of the alters’?
Took all popish object away - took choir books, whitewashed walls of churches, smashed stained glass windows, destroyed prayer books or alters.
What governmental policies of Northumberland were successful?
Northumberland did not continue Somerset’s anti-enclosure measures. Commissioners were withdrawn, the unpopular sheep tax was repealed in 1550 and existing enclosure legislation was enforced.
Northumberland extended the use and importance of the Privy Council. His political “genius” was to see that his political survival and his continued political dominance depended on his control of the Council.
Northumberland had learned from Somerset’s mistakes, and saw that control of the Council was key to the political power. Sir Thomas Gresham was authorised to pay off royal debts on the Antwerp market. He showed great energy and ingenuity, crossing the Channel 40 times in a few months and manipulating the exchange so as to improve the worth of sterling. He was so successful that he paid off all the government’s Antwerp debts in two years and renegotiated the loans at 12% interest, whereas the Emperor was borrowing at 16%.
What were some economic positives of Northumberland?
Northumberland introduced new Treason Laws in 1550
Northumberland repealed the unpopular 1547 Vagrancy Act, although its provisions for the care of the disabled were retained.
The debts, at their worst in 1550 (£300,000) had been reduced to £180,000 by 1553.
Northumberland showed a determination to get Crown finances back on track. The talented William Paulet was appointed Lord Treasurer in February 1550 with the task of reforming the finances.
