Edward VI's Government

Question 1

What was set up to rule for Edward during his childhood?

Answer 1

• regency council of 16 members established to govern
• power largely went to the Earl of Hertford, who went on to become to Duke of Somerset
• elected as protector after Henry’s death and ruled with virtual royal authority

Question 2

What was the council like under Somerset?

Answer 2

• relied on the support of Archbishop Cranmer, Viscount Lisle and Sir William Paget
• rewarded his supporters and himself with promotions within the peerage and grants of Crown lands
• appointed his supporter Michael Stanhope as Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to control it
• they began to resent Somerset and within weeks the Earl of Southampton was arrested

Question 3

How did factional rivalries worsen Somerset’s regime?

Answer 3

• his brother Edward Seymour tried to turn Edward against him and plotted with the Earl of Southampton - no choice but to bring treason charges against him

Question 4

How did Somerset lose control of the government?

Answer 4

• Somerset created enemies due to his arrogant, tyrannical manner
• poor response to rebellions gave the Earl of Warwick the opportunity to act against him
• Warwick and Southampton thought his control should be brought to an end - tried to gain support of Mary but she wanted to role in conspiracy
• Somerset and Edward retreated to Windsor but Somerset eventually surrendered, having been promised no charges would be pressed against him

Question 5

How was the religious nature of Northumberland’s regime made clear?

Answer 5

• Earl of Warwick became Lord President in 1550, not trying to re-establish a protectorate in order to avoid excessive power
• many key supporters in the coup were religious conservatives who wished for a regency led by Mary
• religious nature of regime made clear by second coup directed at these conservatives, Cranmer’s support and the King’s own Protestantism

Question 6

What was the council like under Northumberland?

Answer 6

• appointed Sir John Gates as Vice Chamberlain of the household to ensure his control over the court
• for the first time he operated an effective government, made easier by the expulsion of Southampton
• William Cecil became Northumberland’s key administrator
• Thomas Gresham appointed as exchange manipulator to raise loans at lower interest rates

Question 7

How did Northumberland maintain order?

Answer 7

• Somerset plotted to recover his position after being readmitted to the council but he was outwitted by Northumberland
• Somerset executed - Hoak believed this stopped England from “descending into chaos”
• any other presumed enemies removed from the council
• Northumberland and Gates had possession of the dry stamp, with which they could affix the King’s signature to documents

Question 8

How did Northumberland attempt to secure the succession?

Answer 8

• Henry VIII’s will said that if Edward died he should be succeeded by Mary
• 1553: was reported that E’s health was declining and that he was going to die
• the Devyse was formed to alter the succession - idea may have come from E himself who wanted to ensure the continuation of Protestantism
• the plans made Mary and Elizabeth illegitimate however Edward died before Parliament could ratify the new succession
• Northumberland went ahead and proclaimed Lady Jane Grey Queen anyway

Question 9

How could Somerset be considered a good leader?

Answer 9

• established a court of requests at his own house
• refused to allow anyone to be tortured or burned
• wanted to fix rents and abolish enclosures
• has been traditionally perceived as a pious and well meaning man
• no change occurred to his policy on his fall

Question 10

How could Somerset be considered a bad leader?

Answer 10

• more or less bribed his fellow councillors into appointing him lord protector
• privy council turned into a charade
• more interested in military campaigns than social policy
• debasement of coinage was the only means of financing his garrisoning policy - this greatly affected the poor and increased inflation

Question 11

How could Northumberland be considered a good leader?

Answer 11

• efficient administrator
• regularly consulted the privy council for advice
• brought debasement to an end in 1551

Question 12

How could Northumberland be considered a bad leader?

Answer 12

• masterminded the coup in 1549 that gave him control of the privy council, then purged the people who helped him
• ordered Somerset’s arrest and then manufactured the evidence in the trial that led to his execution
• posed as a catholic for the coup, after which became a radical protestant
• attempted to change the succession so he could retain a grip on power
• seen as capitalistic and had a desire for power which could overpower his judgement - his council has been described as a ‘government by fearful men’