Government

Question 1

How did Northumberland’s Devyse Fail?

Answer 1

• Mary had gathered Catholic supporters in Norfolk.
• Northumberland sent a navy squadron to intercept Mary if she were to set sail.
• Little support for Northumberland in Norfolk (due to him putting down the Kett rebellion) meant the ships he sent were disloyal and aligned themselves with Mary
• Other members of the council began outwardly favouring Mary

Question 2

When was Mary proclaimed queen?

Answer 2

20 July 1553

Question 3

Reasons for Mary’s ascension?

Answer 3

• Many people in England set side religious differences in favour of legitimacy
• The illegality of the devyse and Northumberland’s personal connections to Lady Jane Grey led many to turn against him as they assumed it was just a ploy for power
• Northumberland had little support amongst the other councillors
• Christopher Haigh argues that devotion to the Catholic faith remained and was a contributing factor

Question 4

Who argues that Catholic sympathy was a contributing factor to Mary’s ascension?

Answer 4

Christopher Haigh

Question 5

What issue did Mary prioritise over all other areas of government?

Answer 5

The restoration of the catholic faith

Question 6

Issues Mary faced upon her ascension?

Answer 6

• Inherited a religiously divided Kingdom which was Catholic but with a substantial protestant minority
• She had little political instinct as she was not brought up to rule
• Her loyal supporters e.g Robert Rochester had no serious experience in government
• Mary would have to rely on those who served Edward - religious difference

Question 7

How many councillors did Mary appoint to her council?

Answer 7

50 councillors appointed during her reign - historians argue that this led to an inefficient and faction-ridden government

Question 8

What issue was never formally discussed amongst all of her council?

Answer 8

The marriage to Philip II

Question 9

Why is the argument that Mary appointed too many councillors misleading?

Answer 9

• Mary regarded “councillor” as merely an honour title
• The real working body of the council was much smaller and was staffed with experienced figures e.g Stephen Gardiner and Lord Paget

Question 10

Who was Stephen Gardiner?

Answer 10

• Lost his post of bishop of Winchester under Edward VI
• Imprisoned in the Tower of London due to his conservative Catholic views
• Restored to Winchester under Mary and appointed Lord Chancellor

Question 11

How did Mary view her councillors?

Answer 11

She never fully trusted them

Question 12

Why did Mary lose trust in Paget?

Answer 12

He opposed her religious programme

Question 13

How did Mary view Gardiner?

Answer 13

• She never fully trusted him
• He failed to support Catherine of Aragon during H8’s break from Rome
• She regarded Gardiner as indispensable (shown in 1555 when he did and a gap was left in government that Pole was never fully able to fill)

Question 14

What was a consequence of Mary’s distrust of her councillors?

Answer 14

She was pushed towards the advice of two foreign advisors:

Philip II (her husband)
Simon Renard (ambassador for HRE Charles V)

Question 15

How could you describe Mary’s relationship with Parliament?

Answer 15

Cautious cooperation

Question 16

How many MPs in Mary’s parliament opposed the reversal of Edwardian religious legislation?

Answer 16

A substantial minority of MPs (around 80)

Question 17

Example of Parliament opposing religious reform?

Answer 17

• Ex-monastic property held by nobles and gentry was never returned to the Catholic Church : Mary never pressed this issue and the gentry (who owned most of the land) made up the majority of her government and she was reluctant to alienate them
• A bill in 1555 to permit the seizure of property of Protestant exiles was defeated by Parliament

Question 18

When was the Spanish marriage treaty?

Answer 18

1554

Question 19

What were the terms of the Spanish marriage treaty?

Answer 19

• Philip to have the title of King but was to exercise none of the power that went with the title
• no foreigners permitted to hold English offices
• if Mary was to die before Philip he would have no claim to the English crown

Question 20

Examples of Parliamentary opposition to Philip?

Answer 20

• 1554: Parliament rejected a bill to include Philip in a new proposed law on treason
• 1555: Prevented Philip’s coronation as King

Question 21

When did Mary officially name Elizabeth her successor?

Answer 21

11 days before her death - 6 November 1558