edward vi, somerset and northumberland

Question 1

Who had seized the reins of government as soon as Edward VI had come to the throne?

Answer 1

His uncle, Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford and Duke of Somerset.

Question 2

What problems were there when Edward VI had become King?

Answer 2

• England was divided religiously
• Crown finances had been ruined by expensive wars with France and Scotland
• The coin had been debased, leading to a rise in rate of inflation and decline in real incomes
• The Crown had compromised its long-term security by selling off monastic lands at discount to raise money quickly

Question 3

What had Henry VIII set up for Edward in his will?

Answer 3

A Regency Council to govern England during his minority.

Question 4

What did the Regency Council compromise of?

Answer 4

16 members with 12 others who assisted as required.

It was balanced between Protestants such as Hertford, Cranmer and Sir Anthony Denny, and Religious Conservatives such as Earl of Southampton and Lord St John.

Question 5

Who were under-represented in the Regency Council?

Answer 5

The great noble families.

Question 6

What happened to the Regency Council?

Answer 6

It did not last long as it promptly delegated its power to Somerset.

Question 7

What were the clergy required to do when Edward VI became King and why?

Answer 7

Reinforce their congregations that obedience to the authority of the king was in accordance with the will of God.

This was because the government were desperate for good order and security.

Question 8

Who did Somerset rely on the support of?

Answer 8

Archbishop Cranmer, Viscount Lyle (Duke of Northumberland), and Sir William Paget.

Question 9

How did Somerset reward his supporters and himself?

Answer 9

By giving promotions within the peerage (how he went from Earl of Hertford to Somerset), and substantial grants of Crown lands.

Question 10

What power did Somerset within weeks of being in control?

Answer 10

He had awarded himself even more control, and governed largely with members of his own household, only one of which were a member of the Privy Council.

Question 11

How did Somerset reinforce his power by controlling the Privy Council?

Answer 11

Through the appointment of his supporter, Sir Michael Stanhope, as Chief Gentleman.

Question 12

What were the reactions of the members of the Privy Council as Somerset’s control increased?

Answer 12

They became resentful.

Question 13

How did the atmosphere of Somerset’s regime quickly sour?

Answer 13

Due to factional rivalries.

Question 14

What did Thomas Seymour attempt to do?

Answer 14

Turn Edward VI against his brother, Edward Seymour the Protector, and also tried to plot with the Earl of Southampton against Somerset.

Somerset had no choice but to charge him with treason after Southampton exposed Seymour.

Question 15

How was resentment for Somerset growing?

Answer 15

Due to his failure within foreign policy, especially with Scotland. He had also mishandled the rebellions that broke out in 1549.

Resentment grew further due to his arrogance and dictatorial manner.

Question 16

What did Northumberland (then Warwick), Southampton, Earl of Arundel, and Lord St John team up to do?

Answer 16

Overthrow Somerset as they decided his control should be brought to an end.

Did this through trying to gain support of Princess Mary who decided to stay away from any conspiracy.

Question 17

How was Somerset’s downfall brought about?

Answer 17

There was a standoff between Northumberland and Southampton in London, and Somerset who was at Hampton Court.

Somerset and Edward VI retreated to Windsor where Somerset was arrested on orders of the Regency Council.

Question 18

What punishment did Somerset get?

Answer 18

He surrendered and was promised no treason charges, subsequently committed to the Tower.

Question 19

Who succeeded Somerset after his downfall?

Answer 19

John Dudley, Earl of Warwick and later Duke of Northumberland.

Question 20

What was Northumberland anxious to avoid when coming to power?

Answer 20

Excessive concentration of power as this was what had brought Somerset down.

Question 21

What title did Northumberland give himself, not wanting to re-establish a protectorate?

Answer 21

Lord President of the Council.

Question 22

Why was Northumberland’s regime unclear in the beginning?

Answer 22

It had been conservatives who had been his supporters in his coup against Somerset, many of whom wanted a regency led by Princess Mary.

Question 23

How was the nature of Northumberland’s regime made clearer over time?

Answer 23

He led a 2nd coup, this time against the conservatives who’d helped him in the 1st. He used the excuse that he feared they would try eject him.

Question 24

How did the religious nature of Northumberland regime look?

Answer 24

Protestant as he removed conservatives Southampton and Arundel, gained Archbishop Cranmer’s support and the King was becoming increasingly more assertive with his Protestantism.

Question 25

What did William Paget draw up for the Privy Council?

Answer 25

A set of guidelines to make the process of running the Council more effective.

Question 26

Who replaced William Paget’s influence over Northumberland?

Answer 26

William Cecil, who’d been one of Somerset’s men, had transformed himself whilst in imprisonment.

He became Northumberland’s key administrator, as Paget was increasingly excluded from decision-making processes.

Question 27

What did Somerset attempt to do when readmitted to the Council?

Answer 27

Recover his old position, but was outwitted by Northumberland and executed.

Question 28

What did Northumberland do in reaction to Somerset’s coup against him?

Answer 28

He became less conciliar in his approach to government, basically forming the same approach as Somerset had before his downfall.

He removed all presumed enemies from the Council, and Paget was sent to the Tower.

Question 29

What did Northumberland’s henchman, Gates have possession of?

Answer 29

The dry stamp which could be used on documents to affix the King’s signature.

Question 30

What did Henry VIII lay down before his death regarding the line of succession?

Answer 30

That Edward would succeed him, and if he were to die before he had any eligible children then Mary would be the next in line.

Question 31

When did the succession become a problem for Northumberland?

Answer 31

It had not been a problem for much of his time in power, but in February 1553 Edward VI had fallen ill and by the end of March it was declared that he was dying.

Question 32

Why did Northumberland not want Mary to become Queen?

Answer 32

Because he had been an enthusiastic supporter of a more radical form of Protestantism, and if Mary came to the throne then the country would revert back to Catholicism and his life would be endangered.

Question 33

What was the Devyse?

Answer 33

Northumberland’s plan to alter the succession, although the original idea may have come from Edward who wanted nothing more than to preserve Protestantism.

Question 34

Who was Northumberland’s preferred choice of the next monarch?

Answer 34

Lady Jane Grey as she was married to his son, Guildford Dudley.

Question 35

What was declared regarding succession in June 1553?

Answer 35

That Mary and Elizabeth were illegitimate and preparations were being made to ratify this new succession in parliament.

Question 36

Why did the Devyse fail?

Answer 36

Edward had died on 6th July 1553, before parliament could meet and therefore the Devyse was patently illegal.

Question 37

When did Northumberland declare Lady Jane Grey as Queen?

Answer 37

9th July, 1553 which was 3 days after Edward had died.

Question 38

What was Somerset’s aggressive approach to Scotland determined by?

Answer 38

The strategic objective of reasserting the ancient claim of Edward I to the Scottish throne.

Question 39

What was Somerset’s main aim regarding foreign policy?

Answer 39

To enforce the marriage between Edward VI and the infant Mary, Queen of Scots, thereby uniting the crowns of Scotland and England.

Question 40

What was the difference between Henry VIII and Somerset’s foreign policy aims?

Answer 40

Despite Henry having an aggressive policy towards Scotland, his main priority was defeating France.

For Somerset, however, it was Scotland that was his main priority.

Question 41

What was Somerset’s chosen strategy to unite the crowns of Scotland and England?

Answer 41

To defeat them in battle, and build and garrison forts on the border and south of Scotland, in an attempt to eventually force the Scots into submission.

Question 42

How well had Somerset’s aim to defeat the Scots in battle started out? How did this change going forward?

Answer 42

It had started off good as he beat the Scots in the Battle of Pinkie in September 1547.

It began to unravel when the forts he’d built had been difficult and expensive to garrison and the English could not capture Edinburgh and Dunbar Castles.

Question 43

How did the French step in to help the Scots against Somerset’s attack?

Answer 43

Somerset had failed to block the Firth of Forth properly which enabled France to relieve Edinburgh.

The French had also managed to gain control of the young Queen Mary who was swiftly taken to France in August 1548 to marry the heir of the French throne.

Question 44

What were the disastrous consequences for Somerset of France gaining control over Mary Queen of Scots?

Answer 44

His expensive foreign policy plan had failed at a time of financial pressure, and the deterioration of a relationship with France brought forward the threat of war.

This happened whilst Somerset was already vulnerable due to a series of rebellions that had occurred in England, and so there was already huge resentment for him from members of the Privy Council.

Question 45

What did Northumberland do for England foreign policy?

Answer 45

He reduced foreign policy expenditure in order to stabilise the Crown’s finances.

Question 46

How did Northumberland reduce foreign policy expenditure?

Answer 46

He ended the wars with Scotland and France.

Question 47

What did Northumberland have to do to end the war with France?

Answer 47

Return Boulogne, which was perceived as a humiliating defeat.

Question 48

How much did France pay for Boulogne?

Answer 48

£133,333 which helped to improve the Crown’s finances massively.

Question 49

What did Northumberland do to end the war with Scotland and also for financial gain? What did this clearly show?

Answer 49

He removed the remaining English garrisons which had been expensive to maintain.

It showed that financial benefit had been more of a priority than limiting French influence in Scotland.