Government & Foriegn Policy Under Somerset

Question 1

Why was Edward Seymour an attractive option for Edward VI’s Protector?

Answer 1

1. Military background
2. Part of the Reformer faction (Cranmer and Parr)
3. Member of Privy Council
4. Brother of Jane Seymour

Question 2

What did Henry’s will state and how did Somerset change it?

Answer 2

1. Henry wanted a council to rule with Ed chairman of that council
2. But Ed has access to the dry stamp of his signature - made changes to the will to make himself lord protector.
3. He bribed other members of the council with patronage to agree with it, and them made himself a Duke

Question 3

What was Somerset’s style of Government?

Answer 3

1. He ignored the council and didn’t attend all meetings.
2. Generally rude, arrogant and didn’t listen to council members’ advice. Sacked members who spoke against him. Isolated the council
3. Paget - ‘Betrayed and angry that he had broken his promises’
4. Acted like he was King (‘my government’) and didn’t involve Edward - surrounded himself with his supporters
5. Will ignored with the country being run by people not selected by
6. Own household officials used - William Cecil and Thomas Smith - commoners - hard-working administrators

Question 4

What four acts did Somerset change / introduce?

Answer 4

1. Repealed old heresy, treason and censorship laws - popular but allowed conflict of opinions
2. Proclamation Act - proclamations had to be followed as if they were acts of parliament
3. Chantry Act - close all chantries - reform - money
4. Vagrancy Act - people having difficulty finding work to be branded with a V if out of work for more than 3 days - unpopular

Question 5

Successes of Somerset’s foreign policy?

Answer 5

1. Won Battle of Pinkie at the start of the reign - Sept 1497
2. Managed to just keep Boulogne

Question 6

Failures of Somerset’s foreign policy?

Answer 6

1. Garrison policy in Scotland - 200 men in each fort. France intervened, captured some English forts, allowed Mary Queen of Scots to leave and marry French Duaphine.
2. Somerset spent half a million pounds on war with Scotland - 50% more than Henry VIII’s expenditure in half the time.
3. Only achieved to unite the Scots with the French even more strongly.

Question 7

What economic failures did Somerset incur?

Answer 7

1. Crippling Scottish war
2. Measures to raise money for war increased inflation and were unimaginative. Debasement, selling crown lands, high interest loans all weakened crown finances