Problems of Succesion + Relations with FP Flashcards
What declined rapidly in 1553 and what would the 1544 Succession Act mean?
Edward’s health declined rapidly and the Venetian ambassador reported he was dying , so the Succession Act, as reinforced by Henry’s will, meant Princess Mary was next in line for the throne (as Edward had no heir)
What would happen if Mary succeeded?
Catholicism would be restored and Northumberland (who had supported Protestantism) would be ruined and his life in danger
What did Northumberland resultantly encourage Edward to write and what did this mean?
The Devyse, to alter the succession (original idea may have came from Edward rather than Northumberland)
In June 1553 both Mary and Elizabeth were declared illegitimate, in favour of Protestant Lady Jane Grey - Northumberland’s preferred choice (grand-daughter of Henry VIII’s sister Mary), who was married to Northumberland’s son, Guildford Dudley and preparations were made to call parliament to ratify the new succession
Why did the Devyse ultimately have no status?
Before Parliament could ratify it, Edward died o the 6th of July 1553 - without parliamentary sanction the Devyse was patently illegal
What happened on the 9th of July 1553 anyway?
Surprisingly Northumberland had no plans in place for what to do when the king actually died so it took his three days to carry out his plan but on the 9th Northumberland proclaimed Lady Jane Grey as queen
What were the outcomes for Lady Jane ?
The Privy Council initially agreed, but when the crews aboard Northumberland’s ships, sent to prevent Mary sailing from Norfolk (where she was residing), changed allegiances, the cause was lost
Most of the ruling elite deserted Jane and after nine days as queen, she and her husband were committed to the Tower
Northumberland was executed in August 1553 and Lady Jane followed in February 1554
What did Somerset inherit in terms of FP?
A state of war with both France and Scotland who remained joined in alliance, therefore threatening security and the succession
What did Somerset choose to do regarding FP and why?
Continue the conflicts, despite the cost, hoping to unite the crowns of England and Scotland through a marriage between Edward VI and the infant Mary, Queen of Scots
Strategy was to defeat the scots in Battle , build and garrison a number of forts in the borders and south of Scotland and force the Scots into submission
What did Somerset’s armies manage to do but what was the problem with this?
Began well as they managed to defeat the Scots at the battle of Pinkie in September 1547, but it proved too expensive and difficult to garrison border forts and the English could not capture the strategically significant castles at Dunbar and Edinburgh - and he failed to prevent the French from relieving Edinburgh by underestimating the Scottish-French cooperation and not blocking the Firth-of-Fourth properly, therefore allowing the French to take Mary QoS to France in August 1548, and marry her to the heir of the French throne
What did Northumberland have to do as a result of Somerset’s costly and unpopular strategy?
By 1549 England was threatened with a French invasion so Northumberland had to negotiate peace which involved abandoning the remaining garrisons in Scotland and returning Boulogne to France - he ended the wars but at a cost of humiliation (ending wars with both)
It did however, help to stabilise the crown’s finances as the occupation of Boulogne had proved a constant drain on resources and the French were willing to pay £133,333 to recover the port
Financial benefit outweighed any fears about continuing French influence over affairs in Scotland
While Northumberland had restored stability what was his reputation tarnished by
His attempt to alter the succession
What was Edward’s view on the succession?
He was anxious to ensure the continuation of Protestantism in the event of his death and was prepared to exclude both his half-sisters from the succession as to him, both were illegitimate
What was Somerset’s approach to FP and how did it differ from Henry’s?
His aggressive approach to Scotland was determined by strategic objectives of reasserting the ancient claim of Edward I to the Scottish throne - aim to enforce marriage between Edward VI and Mary QoS therefore uniting the crowns
Henry’s aggressive policy towards the Scots was a sideshow with the priority being France but for Somerset, Scotland was the main priority
What were the consequences for Somerset of his failed FP?
He had engaged in a military strategy that proved unaffordable at a time of financial pressure
He had failed in his political objective - to secure the marriage of Edward and Mary QoS
The deteriorating relationship with France led in 1549 to the threat of war and the prospect of French invasion in Southern England (at the same moment he was most vulnerable as a result of the rebellions which in turn heightened resentment among members of the P-council about his autocratic style of government
