Mid Tudor crisis- the stability of the monarchy Flashcards
- The 3rd act of succession issue date?
- What did it state
• In 1543 Henry VIII issued a Third Succession Act:
- -> Confirmed that if Edward died without heirs, the throne would pass to Mary and if Mary dies without heirs the throne would pass to Elizabeth
- -> This act reversed the earlier Succession Acts, which excluded both Mary and Elizabeth from the succession
• However, it did not reverse their illegitimacy
The establishment of a regency council
- Why was it formed?
- Who was on it?
• Henry’s concern about political stability led to him trying to establish a balanced Regency Council between reformists and catholics.
o “Reformists” - led by Seymour (later Duke of Somerset) and the “Catholics” - under Norfolk and Gardiner
o However, it ended up being unbalanced with reformists having a majority
The problems with a minor on the throne
- Why did people fear instability?
- What is it important to remember?
There were concerns a minor would create instability because:
o He would be unable to lead troops in battle
o Other states might look to exploit the weakness of a minor and attack
o England might return to civil war as had happened in the fifteenth century (War of roses)
o A minor would not be able to control factional struggles, similar to those of the last years of Henry VIII
o There were concerns about his image; it would be difficult to portray Edward as powerful or militarily adept.
• However, it is important to remember that Edward was not a sickly child when he came to the throne and there was every expectation in 1547 that he would reach adulthood and produce an heir.
Who was Somerset?
Somerset was the uncle of the King and although Henry wanted a Regency Council to rule, the transfer of power to Somerset was smooth as a Regency Council could have caused factional unrest and he became Lord Protector. However, the legality of Somersets power was questionable as it was against Henry wishes.
–> This only added to the instability.
The emergence of Somerset
- + problems
- Somerset’s assumption of power was unsurprising as he was Edward’s uncle and had built up a reputation as a successful soldier during the campaigns against Scotland in the 1540s
- The transfer of power to him was smooth and there were good arguments against a Regency Council of sixteen with every member having an equal voice as it was very unlikely any decisions would be reached
- -> However, some questioned the legality of his power as it went against Henry’s wishes
- -> This added to the potential for instability
What mistakes did Somerset make that led to his loss of power?
- Somerset’s autocratic style of rule had caused resentment
It led to the formation of an anti-Somerset faction which included Wriothesley, Warwick and Paget.
- Wriothesley opposed the religious changes made by Somerset
- Warwick might have been looking for an opportunity to advance his own power
–> Support for Somerset continued to fall, and the events of 1549 gave them the opportunity to act.
- As Somerset lost his hold on power he retreated to Windsor castle and took Edward with him.
- Edward fell ill and complained of the cold and said he felt like a prisoner.
- Edward abandoned Somerset, which sealed Somerset’s fate.
He was arrested within a week
Earl of Warwick/Northumberland
when was he regent?
Reagent under Edward between 1550-1553
Why was Northumberland successful in gaining power?
How was Northumberland different in ruling from Somerset?
What did Northumberland do when he got power?
Northumberland was successful in putting down Ketts Rebellion.
He had a more conciliar style of rule.
Northumberland expelled the Catholic faction from the council and thus had a protestant majority.
Why was the King’s illness of such interest to different groups of people?
No one knew who would inherit the throne if Edward dies.
The French did not want a Catholic Mary to inherit the throne as they were protestant and they feared an alliance between Spain and England,
–> This is shown in a letter from the French ambassador who revealed that the French King was offering support to keep Mary off the throne.
What was the devise for altering the succession?
Issued in May 1553
The Devise initially named the eldest son of Lady Frances Grey or the male heirs of Lady Jane Grey.
However, neither had any male heirs
Edwards health worsened and in June he was forced to change the succession and name Lady Jane Grey heir to the throne.
Why is it argued that Northumberland pressured Edward to change his devise?
Northumberlands son, Dudley had been married to Lady Jane Grey (before the devise was altered) so it can be argued that Northumberland married his son to he on purpose, in order to gain more power.
Marys reaction to the altered succession
- Mary was quick to respond to her brother’s death and she quickly proclaimed herself Queen.
- She behaved as the rightful monarch and made it clear that anyone opposing her was opposing the legitimate ruler.
–> Legitimacy was very important as if the ruling classes supported an illegitimate ruler it would challenge the very laws that gave them their position and would also question their right to their land.
–> It was in everyone’s best interest to support the legitimate ruler
Why did the devise fail?
- Northumberlands forces deserted him and he surrendered.
- Mary had raised forced in Suffolk and had proclaimed herself Queen and states that anyone opposing her was opposing the legitimate ruler.
- Henry stated in his Third Act of succession that after Edward, Mary was to be Queen and then Elizabeth.
- Mary was the next legitimate heir as she was named so in Henrys will and Third Act of Succession and she had Tudor blood.
- Northumberland, Dudley and Lady Jane Grey were all arrested and later executed.
What were the potential problems with female rule?
- The problem of who to marry
- Stereotypically cannot lead an army
- Unable to control factions
- Considered to lack the qualities necessary for leadership.
John Knox
Book: First Blast of the Trumpet against the monstrous regiment of women
–> Expressed views such as how women were inferior to men as “this is the natural order of things and this can be seen in the bible”.
–> said a woman’s rule was unnatural
–> He wrote this book when there were 2 female monarchs on the throne (Mary Tudor and Mary Stuart)
Religion: Protestant
