Somerset - Political & Social Facts Test Flashcards
What evidence do some historians use to show Somerset was greedy? What is the counter argument ?
He took the title Duke Of Somerset and ex monastic lands
BUT
Most councillors got new titles and estates
Who was Somerset’s ally in holding Henry VIII will?
Sir William Paget
What are three main views about Somerset’s characteristics
Genuine humanitarian sympathetic to poor
Arrogant self seeker who refused to accept advise
Typical Tudor statesman and soldier
What were the powers of parliament including concerning proclamations
Both houses had to approve taxation and confirm new laws
Any proclamations issued or existing laws a mended had to be confirmed by parliament
What were matters of royal prerogative
Diplomacy and making war and peace
What problem had Henry VIII created between crown and parliament
Religion
Traditionally been royal prerogative H8 changed this
Who made up privy council & what were councils responsibilities
Nobles higher clergy and more important gentry
Ran local government
Who ran local government & what were their responsibilities
Nobles and higher clergy
Maintained order, administered justice, collect taxes, raise troops and carry out instructions from PC
What did the justices of peace do?
Collected taxes & mustered militia
What were the real problems of the first 2 years of Edwards reign?
Lack of effective leadership & the fact the problem had got worse
Why did the council have to make gestures toward religious reform?
Maintain support of radicals such as Ridley and Latimer and to prevent a catholic revival
Describe the financial problems
Income from crown lands had fallen to £200,000 which was insufficient to run the country and pay off borrowing let alone wage war
What problems were caused by rising population?
Led to inflation which added to cost of administration, threatened living standards & vagrancy
What did elites fear?
Riots and rebellion
What were governments aims in the first 2 years?
Maintain wars and cautiously introduce religious reform whilst trying to damp down popular discontent
