Somerset and Northumberland Flashcards
When was Edward VI born?
October 1537
When did Edward fall ill?
1552
When did Edward die of tuberculosis or chronic infections of the chest?
1553
When did Edward come onto the throne and how old was he
1547
9 years old
Who was Lord Protector from 1547?
Edward Seymour, Earl of Somerset
What was Somerset known as?
and Why
the ‘Good Duke’ because he made attempts to help the poor
In why year did England face major crisis?
1549 - rebellions
what was the regency council split between and who had majority under Edward
Catholics and reformers
reformers had majority
What did Somerset inherit from Henry (3)
- divided religious country
- finances ruined from foreign policy against France and Scotland
- rise in inflation from debasement in coinage and decline in income
when was archbishop cranmers homily published
1547
what was the arch bishop cranmers homily about
obedience to authority of king was in accordance of will of god - disobedience is a mortal sin
Who supported Somerset?
Cranmer, William Paget. Rewarded them with peerage and grants of land.
Why was Thomas Seymour executed?
Sought to turn Edward against Somerset and tried to plot with Southampton against the Protector.
What were some of Somerset’s policy failings?
His approach to foreign policy, badly mishandled the rebellions in 1549.
Who was Somerset’s most important enemy?
Northumberland
, feebleness of Somerset’s response to the rebellions gave him the opportunity to strike.
When did Somerset fall from power?
Aug 1549.
How did Somerset fall from power?
Stand off between conspirators and Somerset who still had control of King. Retreated to Windsor but in the end Somerset surrendered when he was promised no treason charge
What was Northumberland’s title?
Lord President of the Council
What determined the religious character of Northumberland’s regime? (3)
Purging of conservatives like Southampton, Cranmer’s support and King’s own increasingly assertive Protestantism.
Why was Somerset executed?
Attempted a counter-coup to recover his old position.
How did Northumberland respond to the counter coup?
BEHAVIOUR
Became less counciliar in approach to gov - behaved precisely how Somerset had before he was removed. Enemies like Paget were removed.
How did Northumberland try to change the succession?
Henry’s will said Edward should be succeeded by Mary, Northumberland tried to alter the succession by declaring Lady Jane Grey as heir.
his daughter in law
Why did the Devyse fail?
Edward died in July 1553 before parliament could meet and change the succession, so the Devyse was patently illegal.
What was Somerset’s aim with Scottish foreign policy?
Enforce the marriage between Edward and MQS. Scotland was his main priority, unlike it had been with Henry.
What was Somerset’s strategy towards Scotland?
Defeat Scots in battle, build and garrison a number of forts on the border and force them into submission.
What battle took place in September 1547?
Battle of Pinkie, Scots defeated.
How did Somerset’s strategy towards Scotland fail? (3)
Forts were difficult and expensive to garrison
English could not capture significant castles and
Somerset underestimated the cooperation between France and Scotland.
What happened to MQS in 1548?
French had control of her, she was taken to France to marry Francis, heir to French throne.
Why was Somerset’s foreign policy disastrous? (3)
-Military strategy proved unaffordable at a time of financial pressure
-failed in political objective of marrying Edward and MQS.
- relationship with France deteriorated and led to a threat of invasion at time when he was most vulnerable.
How did Northumberland reduce foreign policy expenditure?
Ended wars with Scotland and France (had to return Boulogne, it was draining Crown resources and French paid a large sum to get it back).
Also abandoned garrisons in Scotland.
Northumberland got rid of remaining garrisons in Scotland. What does this suggest about his priorities?
That financial benefit outweighed fears about continuing French influence over Scottish affairs.
