Faction under Mary

Question 1

What have some argued that the divisions within the Privy Council created?

Answer 1

Instability

Question 2

What were the issues with Mary’s council?

Answer 2

the size of Mary’s Council meant that it was ineffective

CV: very rare for all councillors to meet together
the average size of gatherings was very similar to that under Northumberland

Question 3

Which three developments further aided the efficiency of council meetings?

Answer 3

The establishment of Committees in 1554 - excluded the casual concillors
The establishment of an ‘Inner Council’ in 1555
Philip’s departure in 1555 + Gardiner’s death; allowed Paget to dominate + establish a conciliar form of gov

Question 4

When was an ‘Inner Council’ established + what did it do?

Answer 4

1555

aided the efficiency of council meetings

Question 5

When were committees established + what did this do?

Answer 5

1554
further aided the efficiency of council meetings by excluding casual councillors

Question 6

Who were clashes most notably between?

Answer 6

Gardiner and Paget

Question 7

What specific issues were disputes over?

Answer 7

the revival of heresy laws
but most of the time the Council was able to put rivalry aside

Question 8

From 1547 to 1558, what were the challenges to stability?

Answer 8

rebellion
minor
female ruler
faction
raising of forces

Question 9

From 1547 to 1558, what were the reasons for why there was little instability?

Answer 9

support of elite for monarchy
legitimacy
support for the Tudors
wish to avoid civil war

Question 10

What arguments support that there WAS a political crisis in the period from 1547 to 1558?

Answer 10

Somerset only able to seize power through manipulating Henry’s will
nature of gov changed under Somerset so that it was run through his household
rebellions of 1549 led to political elite abandoning their support of the gov
LJG affair led to raising of forces
Wyatt came close to toppling Mary
Somerset’s overthrow in 1549 autumn –> instability
struggle for power between Northumberland & Catholic faction

Question 11

What arguments support that there WAS NOT a crisis in the period from 1547 to 1558?

Answer 11

legitimate monarch always triumphed
LJG was only queen for 9 days
crown passed peacefully from Henry to Edward + Mary to Elizabeth
Somerset’s attempted coup was short-lived
ruling elite supported rightful monarch
Somerset’s attempted coup was short lived