The Devise and Succession in 1553 Flashcards
When did Edward VI’s health begin to decline?
in the early months of 1553
According to the Succession Acts + Henry’s will, who was the throne supposed to pass to?
Edward’s half-sister Mary
When did a plot to alter the succession to exclude Mary develop?
during the spring and summer of 1553
What do most accounts of the events suggest the driving force behind the attempts the alter the succession was?
Northumberland as it was essential if he were to preserve power
As a result, he arranged the marriage of his son Guildford Dudley to Lady Jane Grey
What followed soon after Guildford Dudley’s marriage to Lady Jane Grey?
a change in Edward’s will to name Jane as his successor
What evidence suggests that attempts to alter the succession were driven by Edward, rather than Northumberland?
Edward was playing a much greater role in government eg attending Privy Council meetings & setting some agendas
he was committed to Protestantism - possible that he wanted to exclude Mary to preserve the religious reform programme
Northumberland was astute enough to recognise Edward’s skills, so quick to involve him in consultations & gov
What was the Succession first altered by, and when?
Succession was altered by the ‘Devise for the Succession’ first issued in May 1553
Why was Edward’s initial devise of little use?
his health was declining rapidly
there were no male heirs of the Grey family & no possibility that any would be born before he died
When was the devise altered, what changed?
in early June, the devise was altered to make Jane the heir
This raised Northumberland’s importance
What suggests that Northumberland was simply securing a good marriage for his son?
When Guildford married Jane, she was not heir to the throne
What adds further weight to the view that the plot to change the succession was NOT Northumberland’s work?
the plot was poorly managed, as an experienced soldier he would have ensured he had sufficient forces available to be able to ensure control, but instead he dismissed the professional force in 1552
he would have ensured Mary was captured + unable to raise forces
What was Mary’s response to her brother’s death?
she was quick to respond
she proclaimed herself queen + sent letters to the Privy Council + towns informing them
behaved as rightful monarch, made it clear that anyone who opposed her was opposing legitimate ruler
Why was the question of legitimacy important?
if ruling classes supported an illegal claimant all laws could be challenged and their right to their land could be questioned
in their interests to support the rightful ruler and avoid the potential for civil war and anarchy.
This forced the Privy Council to respond to her letter claiming
the throne.
When was Jane proclaimed queen?
10th July 1553
What did Mary do while Jane was proclaimed queen?
proclaimed herself queen in East Anglia
issued proclamations, letter of summons and finally asked Charles V for help
