Faction and instability under Mary Flashcards
What caused faction and instability?
-dislike for foreigners (Spaniards especially)->appeared to not seem to have an impact on the government of the country
-after Wyatt’s rebellion popular unrest was limited but some argued that divisions within the Privy Council created instability
-some historians argue that the size of Mary’s Council meant that it was ineffective->it was rare for all the councillors to meet together and the average size of gatherings was very similar to that under Northumberland
The efficiency of Council meetings was further aided by what three developments?
-the establishment of committees in 1554 which excluded the casual councillors
-the establishment in 1555 of an ‘inner council’
-Philips departure in 1555 and the death of Gardiner allowed Paget to dominate and establish a counciliar for of government
What did the 3 developments of Council meetings mean?
-there were no clashes most notably between Gardiner and Paget->appears that this did not impact on the government’s efficiency
-there were disputes over specific issues such as the revival of the Heresy Laws->most of the time the council were able to put rivalry aside
What was Mary’s government like?
-the Privy Council was too large and faction ridden for the government to function effectively
-supported by the lack of formal council discussion about her decision to marry Philip of Spain
-balanced by the fact that routine administration was effective
How did Mary make the council smaller? Who was added to the council to have more control?
-she kept Paget from Edward’s Regency Council
-Gardiner and Howard was released from the tower->Gardiner added to the council
What was the Kenninghall Faction and how did they impact Mary’s government?
-Kenninghall Faction->helped her gain the throne and now became Privy councillors as reward for their loyalty->helped her defeat Northumberland->cause of why the council was so large
How was the size of the Privy Council controlled?
-in 1554 the councillors established a system of committees which excluded the more casual councillors
-in 1555 Philip helped to establish an ‘inner council’ of 9 trustworthy men
-when Philip left England in 1555 and Gardiner died Paget was able to dominate and complete the reformed establishing a counciliar government
What had Paget and Gardiner disagreed over early in Mary’s reign?
-her marriage to Philip
-Heresy Laws
Who rejected the Heresy Laws and why?
-Paget and his supporters initially rejected passing the Heresy Laws but passed it eventually->they feared that it would anger the nobility due to the Dissolution of the Monasteries and they would have to give monastic land back ->Mary said they could keep the land
Who was Cardinal Pole?
-he was the Papal Legate (Popes representative in England)
-one of Mary’s close friends
-some argued that his arrival to England as Papal Legate changed the nature of court politics
-a personal representative of the Pope to foreign nations
-Mary was aware of the divisions within her council so referred everything to him or Renard as she didn’t trust other councillors
