Factions Under Mary

Question 1

Mary’s Privy Council

Answer 1

Mary increased the size of the Privy Council, including more Catholics
included experienced councillors from Edward’s reign, such as Paget, that were neutral or moderate in religious beliefs

Question 2

Mary’s main advisor

Answer 2

Stephen Gardiner

Question 3

The problems with Mary’s Privy Council

Answer 3

Historians argue the size of it led to factionalism, rendering the Council ineffective
- supported by the fact that Mary I didn’t go through her Privy Council when deciding to marry Philip II

Question 4

Rivalry between Gardiner and Paget

Answer 4

a committee system was established in the Privy Council in 1554, which historians have argued was Paget’s effort to prevent Gardiner from dominating the entire Privy Council
Direct Gardiner/Paget conflict - Paget blocked Gardiner’s attempt to reinstall heresy laws in 1554, but months later a very similar bill was passed and supported by Paget
- This suggests that it wasn’t the content Paget was opposed to, but rather Gardiner’s involvement