Edward VI LoA's

Question 1

Somerset governed for his own benefit

Answer 1

• By-passed Privy Council - Used ‘New Council’ instead
• High-handed management + reluctance to delegate - alienated councillors - Cause of 1549 Coup

Question 2

There was a crisis in government under Edward VI

Answer 2

• 1549 - Coup against Somerset - 2500 conservative troops
• Somerset 70 royal procclamations - Declining relationship with parliament
• 1550 - Northumberland purged Conservatives Southampton and Arundel from council - After threat of overthrow

Question 3

While rebellions under Edward VI created challenges, they were dealt with effectively

Answer 3

• 1549 - Kett’s - 3000/16000 rebels slaughtered - Robert Kett and 49 rebels executed
• 1549 - Western - 3000 rebels killed - Leader Robert Welsh hung

Question 4

Rebellions were motivated by socio-economic grievances

Answer 4

• 1549 - Western - Demanded reintroduction of Catholicism - Unfamiliarity of new protestant practices - Peasants resented sheep tax
• 1549 - Kett’s - Rebels opposed to enclosures in pastoral areas - Rising rents

Question 5

There was a crisis in foreign policy during Edward’s reign

Answer 5

• 1548 - Henry II sent 10,000 troops to Scotland - MQS taken to France - removed most important reason for English presence in Scotland
• Treaty of Bolougne - 1550 - France paid £133,000 for Bolougne - Humiliating abandonment of Henry VIII’s triumph

Question 6

Foriegn policy had some successess under Edward VI

Answer 6

• 1547 - Battle of Pinkie - Henry II sent 4000 troops to Scotland - Somerset invaded - Decisive English victory
• 1550 - Treaty of Bolougne - ended war with France - France paid £133,000 - Saved £25,000 per annum by removing Bolougne garrison

Question 7

Despite religious changes, the population remained largely Catholic throughout Edward’s reign

Answer 7

• 1549 - Western rebellion - Demanded reintroduction of catholicism
• 1553 - Alters were rebuilt in Melton Mowbray - Mass held at Bishops gate

Question 8

Common people suffered hardship because of Edward’s social and economic policies

Answer 8

• 1549 - 5% sheep tax - huge financial pressure on subsistence farmers
• Somerset’s continuation of debasing coinage - heighted inflatinary pressure to 200% by 1550
• 1548-1551 - Wheat prices rose by 10 shillings a quarter - added to social distress

Question 9

Issues around succession undermined Edward’s reign

Answer 9

• 1553 - Mary and Elizabeth declared illigitimate - Edward died before parliament could ratify
• Northumberland attempted to illegally interfere with legitimate succession of Mary - Lady Jane Grey proclaimed Queen for 10 days

Question 10

Garrisons

Answer 10

Cost crown £651,000