Northumberland's Government

Question 1

What was Northumberland’s government focused on?

Answer 1

Geared closely to his personal objectives.

Question 2

What was Northumberland keen to avoid?

Answer 2

Concentration of power which led to Somerset’s downfall - Northumberland became Lord President of the Council rather than protector.

Question 3

Why did he staff the household with his men?

Answer 3

They could then control access to Edward VI.

Question 4

What did Sir John Gates do as vice chamberlain?

Answer 4

Commanded the King’s guard, held the dry stamp and reported to Northumberland all the comings and goings of the King.

Question 5

What did William Cecil do?

Answer 5

Made the switch from Somerset’s camp to act as Northumberland’s deputy.

Question 6

What did Northumberland do in regards to the Privy Council?

Answer 6

Northumberland extended the use and importance of the Privy Council.

Question 7

Why did Northumberland make himself Lord President of the Council?

Answer 7

So that he had the power to fix agendas and meetings and to bar councillors (which he did to Catholics on the 1st day). Also assumed the King’s power to create new councillors.

Question 8

How was operating an effective government through the Privy Council made easier?

Answer 8

By the expulsion of the Earl of Southhampton.

Question 9

What problems did Paget face in regards to Northumberland and the decision-making process?

Answer 9

Paget found himself increasingly excluded from the decision-making process, despite drawing up a set of guidelines for more effective operation of the Privy council (Northumberland only used some of these).

Question 10

Who did Paget’s exclusion of decision-making benefit?

Answer 10

William Cecil - he then prospered.

Question 11

What happened after Somerset’s attempt at a counter coup?

Answer 11

Presumed enemies, such as Paget, were removed from the Privy Council and sent to the tower.

Question 12

How did Northumberland plan to get the Crown finances back on course?

Answer 12

He appointed William Paulet (Marquis on Winchester) as Lord treasurer in 1550 with the task of reforming the finances.

Question 13

What was the Government’s threefold plan in June 1551?

Answer 13

To end debasement; To reduce expenditure so that it matched income and allowed the King to ‘live of his own’; To have his majesty out of debt.

Question 14

Why were Proclamations issued?

Answer 14

To reduce the value of the coinage in 1550.

Question 15

What were the problems faced with the End of Debasement?

Answer 15

The decision to end debasements were not taken until April 1551, which was too late for the benefits to be felt in Edward’s reign.

Question 16

How did Northumberland create further problems within the End of Debasement and what was he telling people to do?

Answer 16

He didn’t call in the debased coinage and replace it with coins containing the correct amount of precious metal (this was done in 1560).
He was telling people to lower prices and trust the coinage without giving them reason to do so.

Question 17

What problems did the collapse of the Antwerp market (1551-52) cause and for who?

Answer 17

Caused further economic problems especially for the cloth trade - high unemployment in East Angila.

Question 18

What was Northumberland’s main concern in regards to reduction in expediture?

Answer 18

The restoration of Crown’s finances.

Question 19

What did the council decide on and who was appointed to achieve this?

Answer 19

Decided on a policy of retrenchment and Sir Walter Mildmay and Sir William Cecil were put in charge with finding the means to achieve this.

Question 20

What did Mildmay understand in his role?

Answer 20

The need to reform administration and create a single exchequer to replace the many revenue-gathering institutions typical of earlier reigns.

Question 21

Which 6 ways did Northumberland raise revenue?

Answer 21

Selling crown lands (raising £100,000);
Selling Chantry lands (raising £110,000);
Confiscating lead;
Coining bullion melted from church plate;
Seizing more church lands;
Securing taxation (raising £336,00).

Question 22

How did Sir Thomas Gresham help to benefit in terms of borrowing?

Answer 22

Borrowing was initially extended from Flanders but because of Sir Thomas Gresham’s hard work £132,000 was repaid by 1553. He crossed the Channel 40 times in a few months and manipulating she exchange to improve the worth of Sterling.

Question 23

How successful was Sir Thomas Gresham?

Answer 23

He was so successful that he paid off all of the Government’s Antwerp debts in 2 years and renegotiated the loans at 12% interest whereas the Emperor was borrowing at 16%.

Question 24

How and when did Northumberland end Somerset’s wars?

Answer 24

With the Treaty of Boulogne in 1550.

Question 25

What happened when the Boulougne was returned to France for £133,333?

Answer 25

The garrisons were withdrawn from Scotland, although expenditure on the Navy and on fortifications continued.

Question 26

What did Winchester do in regards to accounting?

Answer 26

He enforced stricter methods.

Question 27

A privy coffer was established. What is a privy coffer?

Answer 27

An emergency household fund.

Question 28

What problems did Northumberland face with finances and supporters?

Answer 28

Faced the difficulty of needing to keep a tighter grip on the finances at the same time as rewarding his supporters with grants and advantageous sales of land, ordinary income was not increased.

Question 29

What happened to the unpopular Vagrancy Act of 1547?

Answer 29

It was repealed, although its provisions for the care of the disabled were retained.

Question 30

What had Northumberland’s government took action to in 1551?

Answer 30

Taken action to control stocks of grain to relieve the crisis caused by the harvest failures.

Question 31

How did Northumberland prevent disorder on the scale of 1549?

Answer 31

He used traditional methods; he introduced new treason laws in 1550 and used Lords Lieutenants and the retainers of trusted nobles to keep order.

Question 32

Why did Northumberland introduce a new Poor Law in 1552?

Answer 32

To make parishes responsible for helping the ‘deserving poor’.

Question 33

Despite Northumberland’s efforts, which factors affecting the economy were out of his control?

Answer 33

Population - still rising making work more difficult to find and decreasing living standards for most of the people.
Unexpected drop in cloth exports - created widespread unemployment within the textile communities of East Angila.
Harvest - several poor harvests in 1550-52 pushing grain prices up.

Question 34

What were the aims and outcome of Northumberland’s council pushing through anti-enclosure legislation?

Answer 34

Aim; to protect the arable farmers
Outcome; the unpopular enclosure commissions were ended.