Edward VI: government and rebellion Flashcards
Edward’s goals
- reformation of gov by reorganising the privy council and limiting its functions
- tackle inflation
- protestant reform
problems with Edwards power
- increased use of parliament under Cromwell which decreases the power of the monarch and opposition from MPs
- the chancellery meant more complaints from the poor which reflected badly on ed
what onetary problem did he face initially
- inflation due to debasement of coinage due to Henry VIII
- cant sell monastic land
regency council
- split between catholics and reformers
- full authority to take necessary action until Edward was 18
- bestowed gifts and titles intended for people before Henry died (never signed his will)
privy seal
- purpose of authenticating official documents of a much more personal nature
- Sir Anthony Deny (reformer) had control
disadvantages of regency council
- divisions between beliefs and aim
- bribery could lead to patronage
- Seymour was Edward’s uncle he gave him rewards if he obeyed
advantages of the regency council
- in theory reformists and catholic balanced opinions
- provides leadership and lets boy-king develop and grow up w council showing him the ways
what religious decision did the regency council need to make
continue or reverse the reformation
continuation would strengthen political stance and reduce rebellion risk and crown funds would increase as no mone would go to Rome
reversing would strengthen diplomatic relations in catholic europe. but could lead to instability and opposition
what foreign policy issue over Scotland did the regency council have to decide on?
continue the war or end it
continuation would win England land money and power BUT it’s expensive. and there is a risk of the border
ending it could make England seem vulnerable and weak
what tax issues did the regency council have
whether to leave tax or increase it
avoiding raising tax and cutting spending would create domestic peace and security but decrease crown funds
increasing it would mean more money but domestic instability
who dominated the council
reformers dominated over catholics
What was Somerset’s governance style
- granted quasi-royal powers by letter patent in march 1547
- authority wasn’t granted by parliament
- full control of dry stamp tried to insist king’s signature was valid
- 19 councilors accused him of running an ‘evil government’
how many proclamations under Somerset
- 70 (more than any other Tudor)
proclamations are laws using government
Somerset’s use of privy council
by-passed privy council successfully
- had a council that frequently met at somerset house nicknames ‘new council’
what was Northumberland’s government like
- geared to his personal political objectives
- organized government and council to secure position
- was ‘lord president of the privy council and dismissed and appointed councilors (which was the kids role0
sir john gates held the dry stamp
what was Northumberland’s government like
- geared to his personal political objectives
- organized government and council to secure position
- was ‘lord president of the privy council and dismissed and appointed councilors (which was the kids role0
sir john gates held the dry stamp
how did Northumberland use the privy council?
- extended its use and importance
- depended on control of the council
- made himself lord president of the council so. he. had the power to bar councillors (which he. did to Catholics on his first day)
- ‘revival’ of government by the council
how did Northumberland use parliament?
only 2 called in 6 years
who ended the war with Scotland
northumberland
what were the cuases of the western rebellion
- southwest families were gaining church land after proclamation for own use
- social and economic discontent over inflation, population crisis, and changes in sheep farming
- in Cornwall William brody was killed. by a mob who resented attempts to order removal of catholic statues
what were the events of the western rebellion
- 6 June 1549 – 17 August 1549
- Bristol fences to show enclosure torn down
- riots were an ill-focused sense of inspiration from poor
- leaders demanded the restoration of catholic doctrine and practices
- rebels gathered in Crediton but accidental burning of rebel defenses prevented the chance of quick settlement
consequences of western rebellion
- somerset underestimated severity at first
- difficult for the government to respond
- troops needed to defend north and border near France
- by the t time that rebels gained and around Exeter gov were faced with a rebellion in the east
cause of kitts rebellion
- social and economic discontent
- mistaken belief that ministers are. profiteering from the absence of a strong king
- end enclosure
events of Ketts rebellion
- 8 July 1549 – 27 August 1549
- didn’t march to London but set up camp near Norwich and keeps a peaceful campaign
consequences of Kett rebellion
- earl of Warwick put an end to a month of bloody confrontation
- 4,000 deaths from both sides
- somerset’s slow response saw his downfall and imprisonment in the tower
