Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

Question 1

What was Edward’s educational background?

Answer 1

• Very intelligent and received an excellent education
• Was a keen sportsman. He particularly enjoyed horse riding.

Question 2

What was Edward’s role in govt?

Answer 2

• Although Edward VI was young, some historians have argued that he began to have considerable influence in the later years of his reign.
• Edward VI appeared to take a keen interest in the shape of England’s religious settlement.

Question 3

Who was the Duke of Somerset?

Answer 3

The Duke of Somerset was Edward VI’s uncle, Edward Seymour. Somerset became in charge of the Regency Council and ruled England for two years.

Question 4

What was Somerset’s relationship like with Edward?

Answer 4

• The Duke of Somerset was strict with Edward VI.
• The boy had no direct involvement in government and limited pocket money but a thorough education.

Question 5

How did Somerset become Lord Protector?

Answer 5

• The reformist faction was in the strongest position when Henry VIII died.
• Somerset was popular in 1547 after his victories against Scotland. Soon after Henry’s death, the Regency Council gave its power to Somerset.
• Somerset rapidly took control of Edward and made himself Lord Protector.

Question 6

Who were Somerset’s supporters in the Regency Council and where did they meet?

Answer 6

• Thomas Seymour; John Dudley, Earl of Warwick; Archbishop of Canterbury Cranmer; Sir William Paget; Sir Thomas Wriothesley; and the Earl of Arundel.
• The Regency Council met in Somerset’s home, Somerset House. So he was able to control who had contact with his government. His retainers guarded him.

Question 7

How did Somerset rule as Lord Protector?

Answer 7

• Using the dry stamp and royal proclamations.
• The 1539 Proclamations Act said proclamations had equal force as statute law.

Question 8

What was Somerset’s religious policy?

Answer 8

• The Book of Common Prayer and the Act of Uniformity of 1549 were vague in the hope of being all things to all worshippers.
• Some key Protestant steps were taken:
  Dissolving chantries (financial need); acting against ornaments and images (Protestant pressure in London); clergy were again allowed to marry (enabling more Protestant clergy).

Question 9

What were the problems Somerset had when making religious policy?

Answer 9

Somerset had a tricky balancing act to please reformists and traditionalists, Protestants and Catholics.

Question 10

What caused Somerset’s downfall?

Answer 10

• Largely due to his failure to deal with the 1549 rebellion (Kett’s Rebellion).
• He also alienated many in the Regency Council.
• His foreign policy was costly and ineffective.
• Somerset’s power declined following 1549, with the Duke of Northumberland gaining power and influence in his place.

Question 11

What happened to Somerset after his downfall?

Answer 11

By 1552, Somerset was arrested, tried for treason and executed.

Question 12

Who was the Duke of Northumberland?

Answer 12

In 1550, John Dudley became the Lord President of the Privy Council. In 1551, he became Duke of Northumberland. He was the most important figure in England until Edward VI died in 1553.

Question 13

What were Northumberland’s religious policies?

Answer 13

• Northumberland took religion in a much more Protestant direction.
• January 1552: Treason Act - Questioning either the Royal Supremacy or the beliefs of the English Church became an offence.
• January 1552: Second Act of Uniformity - Attendance at Church of England services became compulsory.
• 1552 Prayer Book - All traces of Catholicism and the Catholic mass removed, including transubstantiation (a core Catholic belief about Holy Communion).

Question 14

Was Northumberland a hypocrite?

Answer 14

• Northumberland used Catholic / conservative support to become Lord President of the Privy Council. Those men then lost their positions.
• Northumberland oversaw Protestant changes by confessing himself to be Catholic on the scaffold.
• Northumberland was governed in the name of Edward VI, a strong Protestant. Northumberland was being a good servant.

Question 15

What were Northumberland’s financial policies?

Answer 15

• Arguably, Northumberland’s most important priority was to stabilise England after the turmoil of Somerset’s rule.
• Northumberland tried to pay off England’s debts. This was through selling off chantry lands (owned by priests before the Henrician Reformation).
• Ending debasement.
• Increasing Crown revenue through trade expansion and raising customs duties.