Mid Tudor Crisis Flashcards
What was the monarchy of England like in 1547?
Henry had ruled England through 1540s without a chief minister- made most of the decisions for himself
Henry had been seen as a ruthless ruler- even tyrannical in his later year
Edward VI was only a child when Henry VIII died
Henry had established a Regency Council to govern England until Edward was old enough
- this was supposed to be balanced between religious conservatives and reformers
What were the economic and social conditions like in 1547 England?
Henry had spent all the money he had gained from the Dissolution of the Monasteries on war and defence in the 1540s
Henry had reduced the silver content of coins to raise money- caused inflation
- led to food prices rising quickly in 1540s
Population was rising- pressure on food and land
Complaints about land being enclosed for sheep farming
What was rebellion and unrest like in 1547 (& building up to this) England?
1525 Protests against levels of taxation with the Amicable Grant
- forced Henry to abandon tax
1536- over 40,000 rebels had risen in protest against a range of issues (eg religion and economic)
Difficult for monarchy to prevent unrest without a standing army or police force
Monarch relied on nobles and local gentry to put down unrest
What was religious change like in 1547 England?
England had broken from papacy and monarch was now head of the Church
England was largely Catholic in doctrine but without the Pope- most people were still Catholic too
All religious houses had been closed down
Bible was available in English in all churches
What was England’s position in Europe in 1547?
England was at war with France and Scotland when Henry VIII died
Not a major power in Europe
Had captured Boulogne from the French
Alliance between Scotland and France meant England could have to fight a war on 2 fronts
Had been fears of a Catholic crusade against England in the early 1540s
What was the government in England like in 1547?
The personality of the King was very important- made all the decisions but Edward was a minor
Royal household looked after domestic needs of king
Age of the King gave nobles opportunity to gain power and for factional struggles
Law and order in localities was maintained by Justices of the Peace
Parliament was called when king needed money or new laws
King relied on nobles for advice- they and senior churchmen made up the Privy Council
Acts of succession passed under HVIII?
1st Succession Act 1533 (passed ‘34): Named Elizabeth as successor, and Mary a bastard
2nd Succession Act, 1536: Declared that Elizabeth was also a bastard
3rd Succession Act, 1543: (confirmed by HVIII in 1546) if EVI died without heirs, Mary and Eliz. could succeed, with approval of the Privy Council (illegitimacy not reversed)
Why did HVIII’s regency council plan fail? How did Somerset rise to power?
HVIII attempted to establish a balanced Regency Council (reformists under Seymour and conservatives under Norfolk and Gardiner)
This was large (16 members) and impractical for ruling, since in theory each person on the Council would have been equal
Somerset took power easily because:
- He was the uncle of Edward VI - He had a reputation as a successful soldier during Sc. wars in 1540s
- HVIII’s death was kept secret until Somerset had possession of EVI
- Some feared that the Regency Council was impractical, although others questioned the validity of it since it defied HVIII’s wishes.
What factors contributed to Somerset’s fall in 1549?
Unrest and rebellion in the countryside in summer 1549 (successfully crushed by Northumberland and others) - Personal style of Somerset’s rule caused resentment and led to an anti-Somerset faction, inc. Dudley, Earl of Warwick (motivated by political ambition); Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton (motivated by dislike of religious changes; and William Paget, who disliked Somerset’s style of rule)
How did the Earl of Warwick (later, Northumberland) seize power?
The Council had a religiously conservative majority who did not trust Warwick
- Warwick brought in allies and removed opponents to secure a Protestant majority
- Rumours of a Catholic plot in early in 1550 to remove Warwick gave him the opportunity to dismiss key enemies on the Council, esp. the Earl of Arundel and Southampton
- Warwick was made Lord President of the Council
Why was Somerset executed in 1552?
Once secure, N. attempted reconciliation with Sst
Sst was released from prison, goods restored, and daughter married to N’s son; he re-entered the court and Privy Council
However Sst was associated with a plot and was executed in Jan 1552.
Reasons that Edward VI may have been responsible for the plot to exclude Mary from succession?
· EVI nearly of age, attending Privy Council and playing greater role in gov
Northumberland astute enough to give EVI control to retain his favour
EVI a committed Protestant - M’s exclusion was religiously motivated
The plot was poorly managed - Mary had time to escape to East Anglia - N. was too experienced to allow this
N. had dismissed his personal army in 1552
No propaganda campaign was launched by N. in preparation
Reasons why Northumberland may have been responsible for the plot to exclude Mary from Succession?
EVI’s health declined rapidly and Northumberland naturally took control
He had motive to give the succession to Lady Jane Grey as his son was married to her
Timeline for the succession?
Devise to exclude Mary (June)
Edward VI dies (6th July)
Death kept secret while prominent men in London sign devise; Council order sheriffs and JPs to raise forces (6-8th July)
Mary responded quickly: proclaimed herself queen, sent letters to Privy Council and fled to Framlingham Castle (6-10th July)
Privy Council send Mary a letter declaring her illegitimate (9th July)
LJG proclaimed queen against her wishes (10th July)
Mary issued summons, proclamations and petitioned CV for support. Large numbers of English troops and nobility came to her aid
LJG’s forces defeated, and MI becomes Queen (19th July)
Northumberland, Guildford Dudley (son) and LJG arrested (July)
N executed, despite renouncing his Protestantism (August)
Main perceived problems of female rule?
Too weak to control factions
Unable to lead an army into battle o Problem of marriage - Eng. = create strong Eng faction; foreigner would threaten English independence
Subservience to husbands subverted their blood claim to rule
