Stability of Monarchy Flashcards
What preparations did Henry leave for the succession?
1543 written and confirmed 1546- Third succession Act outlined throne would go to Edward and then Mary and then Elizabeth but did not restore Mary and Elizabeth’s legitimacy
Set up Regency Council- balance of reformists and conservatives (was actually reformist dominated by the end)
How much instability did Edward’s minority cause?
Couldn’t lead troops to battle
Other states could exploit his inexperience
Fears of a civil war (War of Roses)
Fears he couldn’t control factional struggles
Hard to portray him as powerful
But
He wasn’t ill upon coronation and expected he would grow up and marry
Somerset’s power wasn’t shocking- even more stable than a council of 16 all with equal power
Somerset’s assumption smooth as he kept Henry’s death a secret until he had Edward
Still some challenge as Somerset’s power went against Henry’s wishes
Why and who disliked Somerset?
He used his power to get personal wealth and power
His policies and government style
His religious changes
Anti-Somerset faction (Warwick, Paget and Wriothesley)
How was Somerset removed from power?
1549 he retreats to Hampton Court as he loses power
Summons his supporters to defend him and the King
Goes to Windsor with Edward who complains of being a prisoner
Led to his removal from power and arrest
How did Warwick gain power of the Council?
Brought in allies and removed opponents to get a protestant majority on council
Said he was a friend of Somerset to stop a Catholic threat to remove him
Made Lord Protector
Put supporters in close positions to Edward
Had to ally with religiously radical members on council
Reconciled with Somerset (released, back on Council, marries his son to Somerset’s daughter)
Rumors that Somerset was plotting still so he was executed 22 Jan 1552
How was the ‘Devise for the succession’ drawn up?
1553- Devise for succession left throne to LJG’s male sons
Later amended to make her and her sons heir whilst Mary was barred for being illegitimate.
Notable people were then forced to sign the document.
What is the evidence that Northumberland or Edward was primarily behind the succession?
Edward had been taking a greater role in govt. anyway
Edward motivated to exclude Mary as she was Catholic
Northumberland’s son married Jane before she was heir
Plot poorly managed and Northumberland was a successful soldier
But the devise did benefit Northumberland and bring him up in rank
He had lots of say in Edward’s decisions
How did Mary manage to secure the throne?
Ed’s death kept quiet so forces could be raised and documents signed
Mary acts like rightful Queen so people feel that they have to listen to her as legitimate ruler, she writes to Privy Council
Mary proclaims herself Queen in East Anglia and issues proclamations and letters of summons
Asks Charles V for help
Able to raise a large force- on brink of civil war
While Northumberland left to confront her members of the PC switched to Mary’s side
He lost support on the way and had to retreat to Cambridge, declaring Mary Queen
How did Mary treat her traitors?
Released Gardiner and Norfolk
Paget joined new council
Cecil imprisoned
Jane and Guilford Dudley executed as well as Northumberland after being forced to renounce Protestantism
What were some of the problems of a female ruler?
Unable to control faction
unable to lead army to battle
potential marriage to Englishman or foriegner
Who were Mary’s potential suitors?
Edward Courtenay, supported by Gardiner. Related ti Plantagenets who could strengthen Tudor line
Phillip II, supported by Paget, powerful ruler, but fears of forigner dominating court, being dragged into Hasburgh wars but in reality didn’t spend much time in England anyway, House of Commons sent petition to stop marriage
Outline Wyatt’s rebellion
Peter Carew, Thomas Wyatt, James Croft scared positions would be taken by Spaniards.
Four pronged attack in Devon, Leciestershire, Welsh borders, Kent
Govt wanted to portray it as based on religion to divert attention
Plan to marry Elizabeth to Courtenay bu Gardiner found out so they had to act sooner than prepared.
Raised 3000 men and Mary sent force under Norfolk but they joined the rebels.
Rebels marched to London and halted at London Bridge and the Tower and stopped at Ludgate so Wyatt surrendered
Why did Wyatt’s rebellion fail
Forced to go in middle of winter
Only 1 of 4 prongs actually took part
Mary stayed in London forcing them to march to her and lose strength but still threat as he raised 3000 men and Norfolk’s men joined them
How did Mary react to the rebels
Quite lenient so not serious? Or just didn’t want to provoke them?
Exceuted Wayatt and Suffolk
Carew and Elizabeth were released
Ultimtley didn’t stop marriage or Mary’s authority
What were some problems with Mary’s council and how were these resolved?
Disagrements over marriage but this didn’t stop the working of the govt.
Size of council but meeting size no different than from Edward’s and in 1555 made ‘inner circle’ and death of Gardnier and Phillip’e departure in 1955 let Gardiner dominate easily
Clashes between Paget and Gardiner never stopped efficiency
