Edward VI Government

Question 1

what difficulties did Edward VI face upon his accession

Answer 1

1. The country was divided on religious grounds
2. Crown finances had been ruined by expensive wars against France and Scotland
3. To pay for the wars the coinage was debased, leading to a considerable rise in inflation and a decline in income for many
4. The crown had compromised its long-term security by selling off monastic land, at a great discount in order to raise money quickly

Question 2

what was established at the time of Henry’s death

Answer 2

A regency council

Question 3

why did Henry establish the regency council

Answer 3

He was worried about factionalism

Question 4

How were the privy council members expected to behave?

Answer 4

They were meant to be cooperative with each other with no member becoming more important than the other

Question 5

what was the composition of the privy council

Answer 5

There were 16 members with equal numbers of conservatives and refromists and more lawyers than nobility which stopped a leader form emerging

Question 6

what were the different factions and who were they headed by

Answer 6

Conservative were led by Stephen Gardiner the Bishop of Winchester who wanted to keep the teachings and practices of the church as traditional as possible. Reformists were led by Thomas Cranmer and they favoured religious reform

Question 7

who was Somerset

Answer 7

He was born as Edward Seymour in 1506, Brother of Jane Seymour, wife of Henry VIII and uncle to Edwards VI

Question 8

when did Somerset become member of the privy council

Answer 8

1537

Question 9

what did somerset do in the 1540s under Henry VIII

Answer 9

During the 1540S he dealt with diplomacy and relations with Scotland and France

Question 10

what was Somerset like to work with

Answer 10

Difficult and Stubborn to work with

Question 11

what was Somerset’s nickname and why

Answer 11

He was nicknamed the Good Duke because he helped the poor

Question 12

how did Somerset become the Lord Protector

Answer 12

He laid a bloodless coup, as Henry VIII lay dying

Question 13

who agreed that Somerset would become lord protector

Answer 13

He and Sir William Paget, secretary to Henry VIII against Henry VIII’s wishes

Question 14

how did Somerset ensure support for his coup

Answer 14

He bribed councillors with titles,offices and financial rewards. This allowed S to appoint whoever he wanted to the privy council and have near kingly powers.

Question 15

Somerset’s style of governance

Answer 15

He stopped using the Privy council, governing largely with members of his household and instead ruled by proclamations.

Question 16

who did Somerset appoint as Chief Gentleman

Answer 16

He appointed his household servant, Micheal Stanhope as chief gentleman, this led to worries about his protectorate

Question 17

how many proclamations did Somerset use

Answer 17

He issued 77 proclamations altoghether and 19 a year

Question 18

who was the only person appointed to the Privy council under Somerset

Answer 18

Sir Thomas Smith

Question 19

how did Somerset fall from power

Answer 19

Somerset was preoccupied with the war in Scotland and this distracted him from problems at home (rebellion). He failed at leadership and was slow to take action. Lack of money made it difficult to creat an army against the Kett’s rebels as they were stationed in garrisons

Question 20

how did John Dudley have a part to play in Somerset’s downfall

Answer 20

Kett’s rebellion was put down by him and he used this as a way to create more doubts about Somerset’s protectorate

Question 21

when was Somerset detained

Answer 21

October 1549 and there was no opposition to this from the privy council

Question 22

when was Somerset executed and why

Answer 22

He was released a year after getting detained but was accused of plotting against the government and was executed in Jan 1552. He orchestrated a counter-coup in 1551.

Question 23

who was Northumberland

Answer 23

Born in 1504, son of Edmund Dudley

Question 24

what did N do in the 1540s under Henry VIII

Answer 24

He had a military reputation in 1540 against the Scots and France.

Question 25

when did N become Earl of Warwick

Answer 25

1546

Question 26

N’s skills

Answer 26

He was a skilled politician and was effective at delegating resposibility

Question 27

what was N’s nickname and why

Answer 27

He was nicknamed the bad duke because he was an opportunist and very ambitious to gain power

Question 28

Northumberland’s Rise to power - ketts

Answer 28

He defeated the Ketts Rebellion in August 1549.

Question 29

N’s first coup

Answer 29

In Oct 1549 he orchestrated a coup through the council with help of conservatives Southampton, Arundel and Howard, Somerset was then arrested on the council’s orders

Question 30

N’s second coup

Answer 30

N orchestrated a coup in Feb 1550 with reformer Cranmer against the conservative faction and he became Lord President of the council

Question 31

N’s style of government

Answer 31

He used the privy council to govern (at first) and enlarged it to 33 members. He used parliament rather than proclamations to pass laws and he involved Edward VI in decision making

Question 32

who did N appoint to the privy council

Answer 32

He appointed members to the Privy council who were efficient and loyal to him such as William Cecil

Question 33

why did N appoint mean with military experience

Answer 33

He appointed men with military experience to avoid repeat of the summer of rebellions

Question 34

When and why did N change his style of government

Answer 34

After Somerset’s attempted coup he increasingly exercised power alone and through his henchman, Gates who had the kings dry seal

Question 35

N’s downfall

Answer 35

he attempted to alter the sucession and was executed in 1553 by Mary Tudor