Edward VI

Question 1

What religious reforms occurred under Somerset?

Answer 1

• The Act of Six Articles and treason laws were lifted - this caused loads more Protestant literature + preaching
• Royal Injunctions - iconoclasm, visitations and English Bible
• The Book of Homilies was introduced - Conservatives such as Gardiner were imprisoned for opposing it
• The First Prayer Book (And Act of Uniformity)

Question 2

What was Catholic about Somerset’s religious reforms?

Answer 2

• Proclamation released saying only clergy could preach
• Series of proclamations made in 1548 stating that transubstantiation was true and Catholic rites were still to be enforced

Question 3

What was Protestant about Northumberland’s religious reforms?

Answer 3

• ‘Black Rubric’ Proclamation - kneeling for communion was for order, not idolatry
• Short Catechism - manual made without Parliament’s approval - contained main beliefs + teachings - based on Luther and Calvin
• Second Act of Uniformity - made it illegal for clergy and laity to miss CofE services

Question 4

What was more moderate about Northumberland’s religious reforms?

Answer 4

• Reformed ordinal - changed traditional ordination ceremony, but still included many Catholic rites (e.g. swearing oaths to saints + white robes
• Traditional structure (e.g. archbishops, bishops, etc) kept

Question 5

Why did Somerset fall from power?

Answer 5

• Economy was ruined by debasement, war with Scotland (garrisoning Scoland cost £100,000 more than it cost Henry to attack it)
• His idea of marrying Edward to Mary QofS failed when she went to France to marry the Dauphin
• His religious reforms went too far for Conservatives, and not far enough for reformers
• He upset the king
• He relied on Proclamation rather than the Privy Council

Question 6

In what ways did Northumberland improve the economy?

Answer 6

• Treaty of Bolongue - returned the town to France and withdrew troops from Scotland
• Sent Gresham to Antwerp to manipulate stock market in England’s favour
• Improved methods of counting and reporting finances
• Emergency fund called ‘Privy Coffer’ set up

Question 7

What did Somerset’s deposition, and the triumph of Northumberland, involve?

Answer 7

• Northumberland sided with Conservatives, as they were against Somerset’s Protestant reforms
• Reformers also sided against Somerset
• Northumberland marched on London
• Somerset initially threatened civil war by resisting, but eventually backed down
• Northumberland removed the conservative faction, and gained control + access to the King
• Executed Somerset in 1552-
• Northumberland made Lord President of the Council

Question 8

What did the plan to give the throne to Lady Jane Grey involve?

Answer 8

• Mary was Catholic, so didn’t want her
• Northumberland arranged for Edward to ignore Henry’s will and name Lady Jane Grey as his heir (who also happened to be Northumberland’s son’s wife)

Question 9

Why did the plan to give the throne to Lady Jane Grey fail?

Answer 9

• Not enough time to get Parliament to approve, although Northumberland’s supporters were behind him
• Mary not arrested
• Mary had Tudor name - ‘more legitimate’ in eyes of commons