the mid tudor crisis- stability of the monarchy

Question 1

Somerset’s Style of Government

Answer 1

• Control of the Dry Stamp: Somerset gained sole control of the royal dry stamp, asserting that no royal document was valid without his counter-signature.
• Increased Use of Proclamations: Proclamations surged from 6 per year under Henry VIII to 19 per year under Somerset, with over half (77) issued by him.
• Opposition and Downfall: His methods, marked by pride and ambition, led to intense opposition. At his downfall, 19 Council members accused him of ‘malice and evil government’.

Question 2

socio econ problems under somerset

Answer 2

• Enclosure:
  
  • In 1548, Somerset set up commissions, led by John Hales, to investigate enclosures.
  • Hales introduced three enclosure bills to Parliament in 1548 and a special 5% sheep tax in 1549.
  • Despite ongoing investigations, no action was taken against enclosures, and the Kett Rebellion in 1549, driven by grievances over enclosure, erupted.
• Debasement of the Coinage:
  
  • No reform of government finances was attempted, exacerbating inflation and economic instability.

Question 3

foriegn policy under somerset

Answer 3

• Scotland:
  
  • The main priority was the marriage of Edward VI to Mary, Queen of Scots, as per the Treaty of Greenwich.
  • In June 1547, Somerset faced French aggression when Henry II sent a fleet to Scotland.
  • Somerset responded by launching a successful naval invasion and winning the Battle of Pinkie in September 1547, capturing Edinburgh and key border strongholds.
• HOWEVER lost bologne which was scaptured under henry vii , garrison system struggled, 1548 10000 french troops arrived in scotland - treaty between france and scotland ended eng influence over scotland

Question 4

UNDER NORTHUMBERLAND STYLE OF GOVT

Answer 4

• Control of Government:
  
  • Northumberland increased the number of Privy Council members to 33, bringing in his supporters and those with military experience.
  • He created a smaller inner committee for daily management and restored the Privy Council’s central role, limiting proclamations and preferring parliamentary confirmation.
  • As Lord President, he controlled agendas and excluded Catholics from the Council.
  • He took on the King’s power to create new councillors.

Question 5

UNDER NORTHUMBERLAND SOCIO ECONOMIC POLICY

Answer 5

• Enclosure:
  
  • Northumberland ended Somerset’s anti-enclosure measures, withdrew commissioners, repealed the sheep tax (1550), and enforced existing laws.
• Debasement of Coinage:
  
  • Ended in April 1551, though the coinage was not immediately reformed.
  • In 1552, William Cecil and Sir Thomas Gresham worked to restore the silver content, slowing inflation.
  • National debt was reduced from £300,000 (1550) to £180,000 (1553).

Question 6

UNDER NORTHUMBERLAND FOREIGN POLICY

Answer 6

• Northumberland adopted a peaceful, pragmatic approach, recognizing England’s financial limitations.
• The Treaty of Boulogne (1550) saw England relinquish Boulogne in exchange for 400,000 crowns and establish a defensive alliance with France, ending active foreign engagements.
• Edward had limited influence on foreign policy during Northumberland’s reign, with the Treaty marking the end of his foreign affairs.

Question 7

Evidence that Northumberland was influencing Edward:

Answer 7

• Personal Gain:
  
  • Northumberland personally benefited from the Second Devise as his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey, was married to his son, Lord Guildford Dudley.
• Family Influence:
  
  • Northumberland ensured key positions within the Privy Chamber were occupied by his allies, including Henry Sidney, his son-in-law.
• Control over Decision-Making:
  
  • Northumberland actively shaped policy, especially in religious matters, to align with his own Protestant agenda.

Question 8

Evidence that Edward was in control:

Answer 8

• Religious Convictions:
  
  • Edward’s final words, “I am faint; Lord have mercy upon me and take my spirit,” suggest strong personal faith, reflecting his active role in religious matters.
• Excluding Mary:
  
  • Edward consistently sought to exclude his Catholic sister, Mary, from the throne, though he eventually recognized the infeasibility of the first devise and opted for a male heir, though no such heirs existed.
    -By late 1551, Edward began attending meetings of the Privy Council. He wrote various papers, which indicated his interest in
    policy making and he even began to set some agendas.

It was announced that Edward would come of age at 16, rather than 18.

In 1553, the pattern of a new coin showed the King on horseback, no longer a child. Demonstrating his evolving image as a
maturing, capable, young man.

However, Edward was still unable to become involved in foreign affairs. There was still a concern that he could be
manipulated by older statesmen.

Question 9

evidence that the spanish marriage led to a crisis in authority

Answer 9

Patriarchal society: Fear about Mary’s marriage; women were expected to be subservient to husbands.
Marriage debate: Privy Council divided: Gardiner favored Edward Courtenay, Paget favored Philip of Spain.
Mary’s preference: Favored alliance with the Habsburgs through Philip.
Marriage treaty (December 7, 1553):
A son would inherit England and the Low Countries, but not Spain.
If no heirs or Mary died before Philip, neither Philip nor his heirs could claim the English throne.
Philip received the title of ‘King’ but had no sovereign authority.
He could not appoint foreigners to English offices.
Public perception: Wyatt Rebellion fueled by the marriage.

Question 10

Habsburg-Valois Conflict

Answer 10

Hapsburg-Valois War: Conflict between Holy Roman Empire and France.
Charles V’s abdication (1555): Split empire between Ferdinand (brother) and Philip (son).
Conflict escalation: Philip attacked Pope Paul IV in 1556, leading to pressure for England to support Spain.
Mary’s involvement: Sent troops to the Netherlands, but hesitant to join war against France.
French conflict (1558): France captured Calais (last English territory in France) with 27,000 men.
Calais: Seen as humiliating loss for England, vital for potential attacks on France.

Question 11

Mary’s Government

Answer 11

Factional conflict: Tensions between Gardiner (conservative) and Paget (moderate).
Advisory role: Paget dominated after Gardiner’s death (1555).
Mary’s leadership: Tended to consult Simon Renard over English councillors.
Lacks leadership or confidence in her council , Frequently, she did not consult the Privy Council until she had already decided matters of policy in consultation with Renard
Parliamentary conflict:
1st Parliament (1553): Acts of Repeal passed,only 80 out of 359 presented against repealing, but parliament refused to restore Church lands or penalize failure to attend Mass.
2nd Parliament (1554): Gardiner’s religious bills-papal authority- blocked by Paget;Fifteen Bills failed to complete their passage through the Lords in April as supporters of Paget rebelled. Heresy against catholicism bills defeated also. Marriage ratification passes through easily.
3rd Parliament (1554): Heresy bill passed, but monastic lands not returned. almost a quarter of all eligible peers stayed away from the entire session. 106 members were absent in January.
Mary had to give in; England reunited with Rome. In 1555 the Great Act of Repeal went through Parliament and reunited England with Rome.
4th Parliament (1555): Fewer disputes, with Paget dominating after Gardiner’s death three weeks into parliament. Burnings begin because of heresy laws.A bill to allow the seizure of property of Protestant exiles was defeated.
A bill to return first fruits and tenths to the papacy passed (but only by 193 votes to 126).
5th Parliament (1558): Passed military support acts due to the loss of Calais and philips loss of war with france, despite political absenteeism.

Question 12

succession of elizabeth after mary

Answer 12

Succession (1558)
Mary’s Will (March 30, 1558): Named Philip as regent, expecting an heir.
Revised Will (October 1558): Named Elizabeth as the heir after Mary accepted that no heir would be born.
Mary’s death (November 17, 1558): At St James’s Palace.
Elizabeth’s accession: Proclaimed immediately on the same day.
Elizabeth’s coronation (January 15, 1559): Grand ceremony to secure public support, despite opposition from some Catholics.

Question 13

somersets brother - thomas somerset

Answer 13

• felt jealous of edward somersets power- when henry died he became lord protector of young ed
• plotted to marry teenage elizabeth after the death of katherine parr in 1548
• arrested in 1549 charged with 33 counts of treason by the privy council and then executed march 1549