mary I and her ministers Flashcards
What did Mary do when learning of Northumberland’s intentions to proclaim Lady Jane Grey queen?
She gathered Catholic supporters, including members of the Nobility, in Norfolk.
What did Northumberland do to try and intercept Mary?
Summoned troops and sent a naval squadron to wait off the coast by Great Yarmouth, in case she tried to set sail.
Why was there little love for Northumberland in Norfolk?
Because of the cruelty in which he dealt with the Kett’s rebellion.
What happened to the naval ships that Northumberland had sent to Great Yarmouth? What did other council members do as a result of this?
They proved disloyal to him and declared allegiance with Mary.
Other council members decided to proclaim Mary as queen on 19th July 1553.
What did Northumberland accept and do on July 20th 1553?
That his plan had failed and so he proclaimed Mary as queen in Cambridge.
Why had Northumberland lost support for his Devyse?
- He had interfered with the legitimate succession and tried to promote the claim of his son’s wife, making people think that he was making it up to hold onto power
- His behaviour was illegal and he’d upset some of his most supportive council members
- Mary had acted bravely and quickly, and so she gained support rapidly from all classes
What are the two reasons that Mary was widely welcome by the English public?
There is debate on whether it was due to them supporting the legitimate succession or that they were welcoming England’s probable return to Catholicism.
What was Mary’s main priority when coming to power?
To restore the Catholic faith.
What problems had Mary inherited with her accession?
- Inherited a kingdom with huge religious division
- Had not been brought up to rule and had little political instinct
- Her loyal and trusted supporters had no serious political experience
- Had to rely on those who’d served her half-brother and had been involved in religious reforms which she did not agree with
Who did Mary’s new councillors include?
- Bishop Stephen Gardiner, who had been her father’s secretary and was an upholder of religious conservatism during Edward’s reign
- Other churchmen who’d been excluded from influence in Edward’s reign
- Some more conservative councillors, such as Lord Paget
How many councillors did Mary appoint in her reign and what did some historians believe this led to?
50.
Believed it led to inefficient and faction-ridden government. Some back this with her decision to marry Philip of Spain not being discussed in council.
What contradicts the belief that Mary’s council was inefficient due to its size?
She tended to use the term ‘councillor’ as an honorary title, and the working council was much smaller and dominated by experienced figures.
Why had Mary lost confidence in Paget?
Due to his opposition to her religious programme.
Why had Mary never fully trusted Stephen Gardiner?
Due to his failure to support her mother at the time of the break with Rome.
What had Stephen Gardiner’s death in 1555 done?
Left a gap in government that was never satisfactorily filled, especially as Cardinal Pole distanced himself from secular matters.
Who did Mary have to rely on the advice of due to her distrust with her councillors?
Her husband, Philip of Spain, and Simon Renard who was the ambassador of her cousin and father in law, Charles V.
Why was Mary’s relationship with Parliament one of cautious cooperation?
- A substantial minority opposed the reversal of Edward’s religious reforms
- Many were concerned about property rights, as they’d been given monastic land when the monasteries had been dissolved and did not want to give it back
What bill was defeated in Parliament in 1555?
One that would have allowed the seizure of property of Protestant exiles.
What did Mary often quarrel with Parliament over?
The issue of succession.
Why was Mary anxious to get married as soon as she became queen?
She needed to produce an heir to secure the Catholic succession, and her advanced age (37) meant that the marriage needed to happen rapidly.
