Edward VI, Somerset and Northumberland Flashcards
Problems left by HVIII
-Religious divide
-Crown finances ruined by foreign policy
-Debasement (inflation and drop in wages)
-Sold monastic lands, compromising long-term security
What council had Henry VIII left?
-Regency Council
-16 members, with further 12 if required
-Decisions by majority
-Balanced between Protestants (Hertford, Cranmer, Denny) and religious conservatives (Wriothesley, Lord St John)
-Noble families underrepresented
How long did the Regency Council last from Edward’s accession?
-Not long
-Promptly delegated its power to Hertford who was appointed Protector.
Who was the Duke of Somerset?
-Edward Seymour
-Counted on support of Archbishop Cranmer, Viscount Lisle, and Sir William Paget.
-Rewarded supporter with peerage promotions and substantial grants of Crown lands.
How did Somerset award himself control?
-Governed largely with members of his own household
-Controlled Privy Council by appointing his supporters e.g Sir Michael Stanhope.
Early opposition to Somerset
-Privy council resented him.
-Widespread fears about breakdown of law and order if there was no public approval of Somerset’s protectorate.
-Factional rivalries.
-Somerset’s brother, Thomas, sought to turn Edward VI against him and tried to plot against him. Somerset brought treason charges against him and denounced him.
-His arrogant and dictatorial manner created enemies.
What were policy failings of Somerset?
-Poorly mishandled rebellions in 1549.
-Approach to foreign policy, especially Scotland.
How did ministers try to bring down Somerset?
-August 1549 Warwick, Southampton and 2 other noblemen plotted against him.
-Tried to secure the succession of Mary but she wanted to steer clear of conspiracy.
-Ready to strike by October.
-Somerset surrendered.
Who was the Duke of Northumberland?
John Dudley
Who took over Somerset? How was it different?
-Northumberland was first among equals.
-He didn’t want to bring the excessive concentration of power that had led to Somerset’s downfall.
-He became Lord President of the Council and Lord Chamberlain.
What was the nature of Northumberland’s regime?
-Coup against conservatives (feared opposition + purged Arundel and Southampton).
-Protestantism (Cranmer and king’s support).
-Sir John Gates as vice-chamberlain.
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How successful was Northumberland in operating an effective government?
-Effective for some time as he began with a collective approach.
-Easier without Southampton.
-Paget drew up new guidelines for more effective operation and Northumberland instituted some.
-Paget increasingly excluded.
-Somerset’s counter coup was essentially the end of the collective approach.
-Somerset was outwitted by Warwick and executed.
-Paget removed.
-Northumberland became like Somerset.
Who transformed themselves into Northumberland’s key administrator?
Sir William Cecil
Why was Edward’s declining health a problem for Northumberland?
-Princess Mary would succeed him as outlined in HVIII’s will.
-Northumberland supported Protestantism, and Mary was a strict Catholic.
-His life would be in danger and position ruined.
What was the Devyse?
-Plan to alter the accession.
-Edward anxious to ensure the continuation of Protestantism and saw Mary and Elizabeth as illegitimate.
-Northumberland wanted Lady Jane Grey, who was married to his son and the great-granddaughter of HVII.
-June 1553 Mary and Elizabeth both declared illegitimate.
-BUT Edward died before before Parliament could meet to ratify the new succession, making it illegal.
-Took Northumberland 3 days to carry out his plan but he succeeded in proclaiming Lady Jane Grey as queen.
