Edward VI Flashcards
When was Edward born an who was his mother?
October 1537
Jane Seymour
When did Edward become king and what age was he?
January 1547
9
What titles did Edward inherit when he became king in January 1547?
Supreme head of the church
Defender of the faith
What had Henry done for Edward to help him rule?
Because of his young age, Henry had set up a regency council to help him rule
Who was a mother figure to Edward?
Catherine Parr - protestant
Who tutored Edward
Robert Coxe - protestant
How many languages could Edward speak?
6
How had Edward Seymour earnt Henry’s respect?
- Through being the brother of his favourite wife - Jane Seymour who had provided Henry with his long awaited male heir
- He had a reputation for being an extremely successful soldier - proved by his effectiveness in France
What titles did Edward Seymour inherit after Henry’s death?
Duke of Somerset
Lord Protector
Appointed as one of the 16 men on the regency council, designed by Henry to help Edward rule
Why was Somerset known as the ‘good duke’?
For his role in trying to help the poor and ending the problem of enclosures
Arguments against Somerset being the ‘good duke’
- His poor handling of finances - his most disastrous policy
- Slow ineffective handling of the rebellions in 1549 which had been a significant threat to the government
- Stubborn and liked to rule under his own rules - ignored the advice of other members of the regency council, particularly regarding foreign policy
What was special about Somerset’s role in the regency council?
As Henry’s uncle he was able to influence the king and naturally take a leadership role
Protestant influences in 1547
- Reformers dominated the regency council and key government posts
- Relaxation of press censorship, anti-Catholic writings by John Calvin and Martin Luther circulated England
- Protestant exiles who had left during Henry VIII’s reign were now returning from countries such as the Netherlands and Germany
- Most significantly, Edward himself as well as Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer had protestant beliefs. Edward had been raised by Catherine Parr and had been tutored by Robert Coxe - both devoted protestants
Where in England was the growing protestant becoming more evident?
London
South-East
What was Somerset’s problem regarding religion and the growing support for protestantism?
Most of the Country were primarily devoted to the Catholic faith and a protestant reformation could potentially trigger catholic radicals into rebellion
What approach did Somerset take towards religious reform?
A moderate, cautious approach
What were Somerset’s own religious beliefs?
He had sympathy for protestant ideas
What were the first 3 policies regarding religion implemented by Somerset?
1547
- The repeal of the act of 6 articles of 1539
- The treasons act
- Dissolution of the chantries act
What did the implementation of the 3 religious reform acts in 1547 show?
there was increasing pressure on Somerset for a religious reform
What was the repeal of the act of 6 articles?
Implemented in 1539 during Henry VIII’s reign
It had reinforced Heresy laws and reasserted the traditional catholic doctrine as the basis of faith for the English church
what did the treasons act of 1547 involve?
Allowed people to discuss religious matters openly
What did the dissolution of the Chantries act implemented later in 2547 involve?
abolished chapels where people would pray to souls of the dead
When did Somerset start to implement more drastic religious reform acts?
1549
What religious reform acts did Somerset implement in 1549?
Introduction of the book of common prayer alongside the act of uniformity
What was the aim of the introduction of the common prayer book in 1549?
Aimed to be acceptable to both radicals and conservatives
What did the act of uniformity of 1549 establish?
Established a standard of worship in England
- Involved clergy wearing their vestements and maintaining no of Holy days - aimed at satisfying religious conservatives
- Involved removal of religious statues and paintings in churches and the discouragement of the worship of saints - aimed at pleasing radicals
How successful was Somerset’s slow, cautious approach to religious change?
Took an extremely sensible approach with the slow implementation of policies, as well as trying to satisfy both religious conservatives and radicals with his policies of 1549. however, in reality his aims to satisfy both sides was unrealistic. Radicals felt he had not gone far enough with religious change and the implementation of the new common book of prayer ended up provoking Catholics into rebellion by 1549 - Western rebellion.
How important was foreign policy to Somerset?
Had always been a priority for Somerset
What situation in foreign policy did Somerset inherit?
An extremely difficult situation:
England currently at war with France
An extremely threatening Scottish-French alliance
What had Henry VIII arranged with France? - created the 1st problem for Somerset in foreign policy
An Anglo-Scottish alliance through the marriage betrothal between Mary Queen of Scots and Edward VI through the treaty of Greenwich in 1543
Why had Scotland agreed to the treaty of Greenwich in 1543?
Currently in a very weak military situation - needed alliances
When did Scotland break the marriage arrangement?
1547
Who was it arranged that MQS would now marry?
The Dauphin of France - this would strengthen the Scottish-French alliance
How did Somerset respond to the broken marriage arrangement?
Somerset and Dudley led their armies on Berwick and defeated the Scots at the battle of Pinkie in 1547
Why was the victory at the battle of Pinkie short-lived?
Somerset did nothing in Scotland for months, giving the Scots time to secure french support.
June 1548 6000 French troops arrived in Scotland, they captured English forts and took MQS to France in order to secure her marriage to the Dauphin of France
Why should’ve Somerset withdrawn from the war in Scotland in 1548 after French troops had captured English forts and taken MQS to France?
- lack of funds - the crown was in debt and the English economy was declining as a result
- Advice from other members of the regency council
Why didn’t Somerset withdraw from the war with Scotland?
- Stubborn character, refused to listen to the advice of other members of the regency council and enjoyed ruling under his own rules
- Pressure from the nobility
- Unpopular public opinion if he was to withdraw
How did Somerset respond to the actions of the French in Scotland in June 1548?
He sent 3 armies to the Scottish border
How much did Somerset end up spending on the war in Scotland?
half a million pounds
Key event in 1549 in foreign policy
French declared war on England. Somerset was forced to withdraw from the war in Scotland in order to defend Boulogne and Calais
How was Somerset’s foreign policy a success?
He had managed to keep Boulogne and Calais under English control
Experienced victory at the battle of Pinkie in 1547
How was Somerset’s foreign policy a failure?
- Extremely costly war in Scotland for a short-lived victory at the battle of pinkie. Half a million pounds spent in total, this left the crown in debt and badly affected England’s economy.
- A closer alliance had been established between France and Scotland with the marriage arrangement between MQS and the Dauphin of France - England was the common enemy and therefore at high risk of invasion
- proved himself to be extremely stubborn and indecisive - refused to listen to the sensible advice of fellow members of the regency council to withdraw from the war in Scotland due to the lack of finances to fund the invasion
What were Somerset’s most disastrous policies in?
Economy and Finances
What was Somerset’s financial policies based on?
His expensive financial policy and the urgent need for money for wars with France and Scotland
What financial situation did Somerset inherit
The crown was in debt
Crown’s revenue stood at just £200,000 a year
Henry VIII had began the debasement of the coinage
What financial policies did Somerset have?
- continued with the debasement of the coinage started by Henry VIII
- Sale of crown lands
- 1547 act of dissolution of the chantries
- loans from abroad
What did debasing the coinage involve?
The reduction of silver content in coins so there is more currency in circulation.
This was an easy way to make money but led to rising levels of inflation and economic instability
Problem with using the sale of crown lands to raise money
Brought in huge, immediate sums of money to the crown
However, it reduced the amounts of money the crown would inherit from yearly rents
Extremely evident here that Somerset’s financial policies were primarily to do with raising immediate sums of money for foreign policy rather than thinking abut the future financial situation the crown would be in
What was the problem with using loans from abroad to raise money?
Came with high rates of interest
How did dissolution of the chantries act of 1547 bring in money to the crown?
Shutting down chapels where people would pray to souls of the dead
What is evident when looking at Somerset’s financial policies?
Acts involved immediate sums of money - used to finance his expensive foreign policy. He never though about the future financial situation of the crown, unlike henry VII who was sensible and cautious with his spendings - he had recognised the debt an expensive foreign policy had brought previous monarchs.
Left crown in debt, economic instability with rising levels of inflation
How did Somerset attempt to deal with enclosures
Through becoming the head of the enclosure commission in 1548
what did Somerset believe enclosures were causing?
Believed enclosures were primarily responsible for the economic hardships the poor were facing
Did Somerset help the problem of enclosures?
In reality he did very little to help and ended up angering those who used the land for livestock farming
Economic situation in 1500s
Extreme economic hardships…
Debasement of the coinage had led to increased levels of unemployment and poverty.
Bad harvests, particularly in 11 1556 and 1548 paired with a rising population and therefore an increased demand for foodstuff led to starvation and rising death rates
When did stirrings of the Western rebellion first begin?
In 1547 after the implementation of the treason act and the repeal of the act of 6 articles
Evidence for religious causes of Western rebellion
- The articles were dominated by religious grievances:
- Reinstatement of Henry VIIIs act of 6 articles, prayers for the dead, mass to be held every Sunday and for services to be held in Latin - Timing - just after the implementation of the new common book of prayer
- Actions of rebels - murder of William Body
What provoked the beginning of the Western rebellion ?
The actions of William Body - implementing religious reform policies introduced by the privy council and was supervising the destruction of Catholic statues and paintings in churches. He was killed by the rebels in Cornwall
Who were the demands written by for the Western rebellion?
Clergymen - grievances were bound to be primarily religious as the religious reform was affecting the livelihood of clergymen directly
Was the primary cause of the Western rebellion to do with religious or economic grievances?
Primary demands were religious - reinstatement of 6 articles, mass every Sunday, services in Latin, prayers for the dead. However, demands were written by clergymen - bound to be primarily religious. Can be questioned as to whether the demands of the rebels were more to do with economic grievances given the current dire economic situation in England.
It is said the earlier list of demands written by the rebels had more of a focus on complaints towards raised taxation and the increased prices of foodstuff
Also - harsher, more aggressive religious reform policies implemented during Northumberland’s time as Lord Protector, better economic circumstances, no rebellion was ever provoked
Economic grievances for Western rebellion?
Complaints of taxes on sheep and cloth as well as rumours of further taxation on animals
Rising levels of inflation, increased prices of foodstuff.
Action of rebels (Western rebellion) that suggested grievances were economic/ to do with problems in local government rather than religious
Murder of William Hellyons in Devon, a member of the gentry
Early actions of the rebels of the Western rebellion
Provoked by actions of William Body
Set up camp in Bodmin and led by Humphrey Arundell. Then marched to Devon where another uprising began in Stamford Courtenay
Why was Somerset slow and ineffective in dealing with the Western rebellion?
Preoccupied with issues in France and Scotland
Received inaccurate information about the threat of the rebellion
How did Somerset deal with the Western rebellion?
Initially sent Lord Russel with an inadequate force to try and shut down the rebellion. Took Somerset a total of 6 weeks to take the rebellion seriously and realise the threat it was posing to the government. By August he sent Lord Russel with an army of 8000 to Stamford Courtenay
Results of Western rebellion
Leader, Robert Welsh hanged
3000 rebels killed
When and where did the Kett rebellion break out?
July 1549
Norfolk
Who led the Kett rebellion?
Robert Kett, a previous landowner
How many rebels were involved in the kett rebellion and where did they set up camp?
16,000
Mousehold heath
When was the Kett rebellion overthrown?
August 1549 by the Earl of Warwick (later the Duke of Northumberland) and a 12,000 strong royal army
Primary reason for Kett rebellion and evidence?
Economic grievances inc raised taxation, rises in prices of foodstuff but mainly Enclosures and the actions of Flowerdew who was a local landowner destroying a local abbey, something the locals had paid for.
- rebels attacked hedges and fences
Why were enclosures becoming more of an issue?
Livestock farming was more profitable than arable farming
Religious concerns of rebels - Kett rebellion
In favour of protestant reform
- concern for uneducated clergy
Concerns in local government for Kett rebellion
16,000 rebels set up camp at Mousehold Heath suggesting they were setting up their own government, dissatisfaction with the leadership of the gentry
Causes for rebellions of 1549 to consider
Religious - Western (Catholic grievances) and William body, Kett (Protestant reform)
Economic - enclosures (Flowerdew), rise in prices of foodstuff, taxation on cloth, sheep rumours of further taxes on animals
Problems with local government - Murder of William Hellyons who was a member of the gentry, rebels of Kett setting up camp in Mousehold Heath
Evidence the rebellions of 1549 were as a result of weakness in central authority
- slow, ineffective handling of Western rebellion (6 weeks in total)
- Paired with problems in foreign policy
- Foreign mercenary forces required for Western rebllion and a royal army of 12,000 required to shut down Kett rebellion
- Rebellions had threatened a complete breakdown in government
Evidence rebellions of 1549 weren’t as a result of weakness in central authority
- demands more to do with problems with polices implemented by the government, and reversing the policies rather than overthrowing the government or the King
- London was never under attack
- Rebels dispersed by Somerset offering pardons - cheap, easy method used
- neither rebellion resulted in a change to polices
What led to Somerset’s downfall?
Rebellions of 1549 had threatened a complete breakdown in government. Somerset had dealt with the rebellions slowly and ineffectively, partially because he was ill-informed about the extent of the threat the rebellions posed to the government and partially because he was preoccupied with foreign policy. It had taken him a total of 6 weeks to disperse the 6000 rebels involved in the Western rebellion.
Somerset also had many enemies in court - known for his stubbornness and frequently ignored the advice of fellow members of the regency council
This gave Somerset’s enemies in court the perfect opportunity to attack his style of leadership.
Who ordered Somerset’s arrest and when was he arrested?
The council
Late 1549, placed in tower of London
When and why did Somerset leave the tower of London?
February 1550, he was allowed to return to court
When was Somerset executed?
Tried for treason and executed in 1552 for plotting the assassination of some of his enemies in court in attempt to return to his position of high power, just as he had been in in 1549.
How did the Earl of Warwick gain Edwards’s confidence?
- Through proving himself an extremely successful, effective soldier through leading the royal army and dispersing the 16,000 rebels at the Kett Rebellion
- Popular in government
- Had the support of Cranmer
What tiles did Edward reward the Earl of Warwick with?
Duke of Northumberland
Head of the regency council - Feb 1550
What was Northumberland known as?
A ruthless oppurtunist
What was Northumberland’s religious policy driven by/ what were his beliefs?
Personal beliefs unknown, can be said he was driven by political gain rather than personal gain
Recognised failure of Somerset’s moderate, cautious approach to religious reform in triggering the Western rebellion of 1549 (leading to his downfall and a complete breakdown in government) and not satisfying religious radicals
What religious policies did Northumberland implement?
1552 - second act of uniformity and a second book of common prayer
Treason act
Removed several religious conservatives from key government posts including Gardiner and implemented several reforming bishops
What did the treason act implemented by Northumberland involve?
Stated there would be harsh penalties for questioning royal supremacy
Who did Northumberland remove from key government posts and why?
Religious conservatives e.g. Gardiner
Who did Northumberland appoint in government?
Religious reformers e.g. Ridley was now bishop of London
How protestant was England after Northumberland?
Indefinitely protestant however, the hierarchy and government of the church remained the same
What did Northumberland recognise about Somerset’s foreign policy?
Expensive - leading to economic decline in England
Strengthened Scottish-French alliance was threatening to England
What was significant about foreign relations when Northumberland inherited the role of Lord Protector/ head of regency council?
Relations with Spain and Charles V were declining. Charles V was a devoted Catholic and resented the religious reform in England
Key event in foreign policy for Northumberland
Withdrew from French war and signed treaty of Boulogne in 1550 which handed back Boulogne to France.
The treaty was established between the marriage betrothal of Elizabeth (daughter of Henry II) and Edward VI
How was the treaty of Boulogne an embarrassment?
Handing back Henry’s great victory of 1544 - humiliating for England
How was the treaty of Boulogne a sensible decision on Northumberland’s behlalf?
- Boulogne wasn’t that significant to England
- Anglo-French alliance would be more useful as it isolated the Holy Roman Emperor and made him feel threatened, also reduced the threat a strong Scottish-French alliance would be to England
- Northumberland could now focus on matters at home - improving drastic economic state England was in and improving financial situation of the crown
Current economic situation when Northumberland inherited position as Lord Protector
Scottish war had cost half a million pounds - crown was in debt
Inflation levels high - Somerset had continued with the debasement of the coinage
Cloth trade suffered set back in 1551 - England’s most successful industry, involving 80% of English exports and bringing in huge amounts of ordinary revenue through customs duties
How did Northumberland attempt to deal with the temporary set back of the cloth trade in 1551?
Encouraged trade through establishing the Muscovy company in Russia
How successful was the Muscovy company?
Encouraged trade with Russia, improved financial situation of the crown through increasing amount of revenue brought in through customs duties - particularly during Mary’s reign
How did Northumberland deal with the rising levels of inflation?
Reissued the coinage until the silver content was the same as it had been in 1527
How successful were Northumberland’s financial policies?
He had successfully and skilfully solved the financial crisis Somerset had led the crown into through his expensive foreign policy through reissuing the coinage and establishing the muscovy company. Loans borrowed from abroad to finance the war in Scotland could now be paid off
How did Northumberland help to enforce law and order to prevent rebellions similar to those of 1549 which had led to a breakdown in government?
- repealed unpopular sheep tax - a grievance of rebels in Kett rebellion
- New treason law - stated there would be sever punishments if royal supremacy was questioned helped to establish law and order
- Anti-enclosure legislation was enforced and acts were passed to help protect arable farming - enclosures main cause of kett rebellion
- Poor law of 1552 made parishes responsible for collecting taxes to help the poor
Social order during Northumberland’s time as lord protector
Northumberland far more in control than Somerset
No disruption to social order despite further, more aggressive religious reform
Edward’s illnesses
Developed smallpox but had recovered
By January 1553 he had developed severe chest pains
Why did Northumberland ignore Henry VIII’s will in placing Mary, Edward’s half sister next in the line of succession?
- Threatened Northumberland’s position of power
- Mary was a devoted catholic, protestant reforms implemented during Edward’s reign would be reversed
Who did Northumberland establish as next in the line of succession?
Lady Jane Grey, the great niece of Henry VIII
How did Northumberland establish Lady Jane Grey as next in the line of succession?
Through using laws established by Henry VIII in which he used to break England away from the Catholic church.
This was supported by Edward VI as LJG was protestant
Why was Northumberland implementing LJG as next in line to the throne an extremely unpopular policy?
- People respected Mary’s legal right to the throne
- Did not have Parliamentary support
How was Edward described at his succession?
A ‘sickly child’ who was merely a ‘puppet’ to Somerset
HOWEVER
extremely clever - could speak 6 languages
How much influence did Edward have in local government at the beginning of his reign?
Very little
Kept under strict control by Somerset and Michael Stanhope
Strict rules e.g. how much pocket money he could have
H set up regency council to aid Edward in making decisions however, Somerset took up a natural lead and liked to rule under his own rules. ‘second king’
Who controlled Edward’s actions at the beginning of his reign?
Michael Stanhope, Duke of Somerset
Why didn’t Edward defend Somerset at his downfall?
Somerset had failed to develop a close bond with his nephew
How much influence did Edward have over local government at the start of Northumberland’s time as lord protector?
Slightly more - began to attend privy council meetings and put forward some agendas
How much influence did Edward have over local government at the end of Northumberland’s time as lord protector?
Far more influence
Regularly attended privy council meetings and put forwards agendas
Took a keen interest in religious reform and took a key role in helping northumberland to implement LJG as the rightful successor to the throne rather than his half-sister Mary
What wasn’t Edward allowed any say over - restrictions implemented by Northumberland?
Foreign policy
How did Edward finish his reign?
A confident, assertive 15 year old who was practically readily to rule in his own right
