The stability of the monarchy Flashcards
When did Henry VIII die?
28th January 1547
When did the Regency Council establish Somerset as Lord Protector?
31st January 1547
When did Henry VIII issue the Third Succession Act?
1543
What did the Third Succession Act confirm?
If Edward died without heirs, the throne passes to Mary. If Mary died without heirs, then the throne passes to Elizabeth.
What did the Third Succession Act reverse?
Earlier succession acts which had excluded Mary and Elizabeth from the succession. Their illegitimacy was not reversed.
Why was the Third Succession Act passed?
Henry VIII’s health was declining and knew Edward would come to the throne as a minor. He wanted to avoid disputes and ensure a peaceful succession.
How was Henry VIII’s concern about political instability apparent?
He tried to establish a Regency Council balanced between reformists, under Seymour, and ‘Catholics’ under Norfolk and Gardiner.
What kind of council did Henry VIII leave when he died?
Reformist-dominated Regency Council.
A positive example of a minor on the throne?
Henry III came to the throne aged 9 in 1216. In his minority, he ended the unrest that resulted in Magna Carta and ruled the country well.
A negative example of a minor on the throne?
Edward V succeeded to the throne ages 12 in 1483. He was imprisoned in the tower and probably murdered on the orders of his uncle.
What were peoples worries with Edward being a minor?
Couldn’t lead troops into war, other states might exploit potential weakness of a minor on the throne, fear of return to civil war.
What made Edward being a minor more likely to be problematic?
Factional struggles occurring at the same time - a minor would not be able to control them.
What was wrong with Edwards image?
Couldn’t be portrayed as powerful and militarily adept (coins were used in this way for Henry VIII).
What is important to remember about Edwards health?
He was not sickly child and he was expected to reach adulthood, marry and have an heir.
Henry wanted a Regency Council but how was Somerset’s assumption of power?
Natural and unsurprising.