Edward VI Government Flashcards
what difficulties did Edward VI face upon his accession
- The country was divided on religious grounds
- Crown finances had been ruined by expensive wars against France and Scotland
- To pay for the wars the coinage was debased, leading to a considerable rise in inflation and a decline in income for many
- The crown had compromised its long-term security by selling off monastic land, at a great discount in order to raise money quickly
what was established at the time of Henry’s death
A regency council
why did Henry establish the regency council
He was worried about factionalism
How were the privy council members expected to behave?
They were meant to be cooperative with each other with no member becoming more important than the other
what was the composition of the privy council
There were 16 members with equal numbers of conservatives and refromists and more lawyers than nobility which stopped a leader form emerging
what were the different factions and who were they headed by
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
who was Somerset
He was born as Edward Seymour in 1506, Brother of Jane Seymour, wife of Henry VIII and uncle to Edwards VI
when did Somerset become member of the privy council
1537
what did somerset do in the 1540s under Henry VIII
During the 1540S he dealt with diplomacy and relations with Scotland and France
what was Somerset like to work with
Difficult and Stubborn to work with
what was Somerset’s nickname and why
He was nicknamed the Good Duke because he helped the poor
how did Somerset become the Lord Protector
He laid a bloodless coup, as Henry VIII lay dying
who agreed that Somerset would become lord protector
He and Sir William Paget, secretary to Henry VIII against Henry VIII’s wishes
how did Somerset ensure support for his coup
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.
Somerset’s style of governance
He stopped using the Privy council, governing largely with members of his household and instead ruled by proclamations.
who did Somerset appoint as Chief Gentleman
He appointed his household servant, Micheal Stanhope as chief gentleman, this led to worries about his protectorate
how many proclamations did Somerset use
He issued 77 proclamations altoghether and 19 a year
who was the only person appointed to the Privy council under Somerset
Sir Thomas Smith
how did Somerset fall from power
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
how did John Dudley have a part to play in Somerset’s downfall
Kett’s rebellion was put down by him and he used this as a way to create more doubts about Somerset’s protectorate
when was Somerset detained
October 1549 and there was no opposition to this from the privy council
when was Somerset executed and why
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.
who was Northumberland
Born in 1504, son of Edmund Dudley
what did N do in the 1540s under Henry VIII
He had a military reputation in 1540 against the Scots and France.
