Edward VI: culture, society, economy and exploration

Question 1

how did most react to religious changes under Edward?

Answer 1

acceptance rather than enthusiasm especially amongst the uneducated

Question 2

in what 4 ways did humanism develop in Edward’s reign?

Answer 2

• Richard Cox, a well known protestant humanist, was Edward’s tutor
• hugh latimer wrote the sermon on the plough which included ideas on the commonwealth of all men

Question 3

how was enclosure dealt with under Edward?

Answer 3

• Somerset set up a committee to look into the legality of recent enclosures
• imposed a tax on sheep on cloth but was later repealed by Northumberland

Question 4

what caused economic issues?

Answer 4

• inflation, was severe and affected mostly food products
• agricultural wages were declining whilst the population was growing leading to unrest
• foreign policy meant money had to be borrowed from foreign bankers

Question 5

what were some of the effects of economic issues under Edward?

Answer 5

• the western prayer book rebellion had undertones of economic issues as they tore down enclosure hedges
• poor harvests and price rises caused Kett’s rebellion and one of their main aims was to end enclosure

Question 6

what were some ways in which Edward tried to deal with economic issues?

Answer 6

• money was borrowed from foreign bankers
• chantry lands were sold to repay loans
• more crown lands had to be sold off
• coinage was called in and re-issued with the same silver content as 1527
• a poor law was passed in 1552 to make parished responsible for raising money for the deserving poor

Question 7

what economic issues were there under Northumberland?

Answer 7

• harvest issues continued
• there was a drop in the cloth trade with the Netherlands in 1551 which increased unemployment
• the treasons act was re-introduced in 1550 to restore order after the 1549 rebellions

Question 8

what exploration was there under Edward?

Answer 8

• ships began to trade as far as the Gold Coast in Africa
• a company was set up by the privy council to support Sebastian Cabot
• one of their ships did reach the port of Arkangel in Russia in 1553
• the Muscovy company was set up to encourage trade between the two countries