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