Royal authority + govt under Somerset Flashcards
Problems Edward inherited
-The country remained divided on religious grounds.
-Crown finances had been ruined by wars against Scotland and France.
-Inflation rose.
-Crown sold off monastic lands, to raise funds for wars, which compromised its own security.
What did HVIII set up in his will for Edward?
-A regency council to govern England during Edward’s minority.
What was a regency council?
-Compromised of 16 members, supported further by a group of 12 who were required to assist as required.
-Decisions made had to be by a majority
-The council was balanced between Protestants like Cramer AND religious conservatives like Thomas Wriothesley
-It didn’t last long
-Rise of Somerset
-The regency council delegated some power to him.
-Gave himself the title of Lord Protectorate
-Gained popularity in 1547 after his victories against Scotland
-Given quasi-royal powers by Letters Patent, March 1547
What did Somerset do to gain more power?
-Gained control over the Privy chamber where he only appointed supporters such as Michael Stanhope, William Cecil etc.
what did members of the prviy council begin to feel and what did this lead to?
-They quickly grew to resent him: within a week one of them the Earl of Southampton was arrested
-This led to a development of widespread fears of the breakdown of law and order
What began to form?
-Factional rivalries
-The first one being started by his brother Thomas Seymour.
-He wanted to turn Edward against Somerset + tried to plot with the Earl of Southampton.
-Somerset charged Seymour with treason with the assistance of the Earl of Southampton who achieved his readmission to the council.
Bitter factional rivalry
1549:
-Warwick, Southampton, Earl of Arundel + Lord St John decided Somerset’s control should be brought to an end: tried to secure the support of Princess Mary but she refused.
How many proclamations did he pass?
-Over 70 in three years which meant he was creating laws without parliament.
What led to the fall of Somereset?
-He acted more like a king rather than a protector
-Governed without the use of the council, instead he took advice from members of his household.
-Isolated himself politically
-Policy failings e.g. war against Scotland + his inability to handle rebellions e.g. 1549 which weakened his position.
-Somerset was then arrested on the orders of the regency council and sent to the tower.
