The Stability of the Monarchy - Edward Flashcards
The Third Succession Act
When was it issued?
What did it entail?
Issued 1543
- -> Confirmed if Edward died without heirs, then the throne should pass to Mary, and if Mary died without heirs, then the throne should pass to Elizabeth
- -> Reversed Earlier Acts that excluded Mary + Elizabeth from the succession, but did not reverse their illegitimacy
Evidence Henry was concerned about political instability on his death
His establishment of a Regency Council, established 1546
Was the Regency Council Balanced?
Henry wanted Balance between
Reformists: led by Seymour (later Duke of Somerset)
Catholics: under Norfolk + Gardiner
BUT: Balance undermined by Paget and Denny (controlled dry stamp) - left plenty of space on kings will, appears details of Council added when King close to death // unable to prevent
How were the reformists able to consolidate power?
1546 - Norfolk arrested, task made easier
Kept Henry’s death quiet for a few days, reformists able to consolidate their position + Somerset able to establish himself
What were the problems of a minor on the throne?
--> Unable to lead troops into battle // other states may look to exploit weaknesses of minor and attack
–> ENG may return to civil war - Edward unable to control factional struggles similar to those of the last years of HVIII
–> In an age of PERSONAL monarchy, concerns about his image - difficult to portray E as a powerful + military adapt
Example of Minor Rules being successful
Henry VI, eight months old when he came to the throne (1422) + although his reign witnesses the Wars of the Roses, ENG was relatively stable during the minority
Who was Somerset?
What was the transference of power to him like?
Edward Seymore, Earl of Hertford -
- -> Successful reputation as a soldier during campaign in Scotland - the rough wooing
- -> Edwards Uncle
Transfer of power to him was smooth because
1) 16 members in regency council // unlikely decisions would have been reached
But some questioned legality - went against Henry’s wishes
When was the device for the succession drawn up?
What reason would the Lord President of the Council, Northumberland, have to be behind the Device for the Succession 1553?
May 1553
Device was essentially to preserve his power
- As a protestant, he would lose power if a Catholic Monarch came to the throne
What evidence is there that the Lord President of the Council, Northumberland, was behind the Device for the Succession 1553?
Married his son , Guildford Dudley to Lady Jane Grey
–> Soon followed by Edward changing his will + naming Lady Jane Grey as heir
HOWEVER: at the time of marriage, May 1553 - heath of king was good, // believed he would live for a very long time
What evidence is there that Edward VI, was behind the Device for the Succession 1553?
- He was playing a greater role in Government, attending Privy Council meeting and setting some agendas
- Edward himself was a committed protestant + would want to stop the throne passing to a Catholic
- Wanted the Religious Reformation Programme he had started to continue
Plot Poorly Managed:
- Northumberland was an experienced solider - would have ensured sufficient forces to take control = BUT professional force dismissed in 1552
- Would have captured Mary before she escaped to East Anglia
- Would have launched a propaganda campaign to prepare the nation for the change in succession
When was the professional force dismissed?
1552
When did Edward die?
How long was his death kept quiet?
6th July 1553
2 Days
How did Mary respond to Edwards death?
Proclaiming herself as queen // behaving as if she considered herself as the rightful + legitimate Queen
- Sent letters to Privy Council + important towns
- Asked Charles V for help
Why was the question of Legitimacy so important to the ruling class?
If they supported an illegal claimant, all laws could be changed + their right to land questioned
// In their interests to support rightful heir
When was Jane proclaimed as Queen?
How long did her rule last?
10th July
9 Days
What happened to the crown on Mary’s death?
Passed to Elizabeth peacefully
- Mary made no attempt to alter the succession, although tried to persuade E to maintain the Catholic faith
What was the impact of the 1549 Unrest on Somersets faction?
Although the unrest was put down, the ruling elite was concerned by the disorder –> PARTICULARLY bc some of the rebels COMPLAINTS were AGAINST THEM
+ disquiet within governing circles about the PERSONAL nature of Somersets gov (as letters from Paget) reveal
Overall - lead to the formation of the anti-somerset faction
Who was involved in the Anti-Somerset faction?
Why were they in the faction?
Had Little in common except for the dislike of Somersets methods + policies
- Paget (close adviser to S): Concerned about S ignoring his advice
- Warwick (Duke of Northumberand 1547): May have seen an opportunity to advance his own power
- Wriothesley: Opposed to S religious policies
How did Somersets react to his gradual loss of power?
How did Edward react
5th October 1549 - summoned loyal subjects to defend him + the King
NEXT DAY: Moved to Windsor w. Edward from Hampton Court
How did Edward react to Somersets actions because of his gradual loss of power?
E fell ill + claimed he was a prisoner // abandoned his uncle
–> Edward stated that Somerset had threatened riots if he was removed from power
Although Somerset denied this, he could not contradict the King + within a week he was removed
How did Warwick consolidate his power?
Council contained a majority of religious conservatives who did not trust Warwick // W brought in his own allies so that he had a protestant majority
What events occurred in early December 1549?
Rumours of a Catholic plot to remove Warwick, using the argument he was a friend of Somerset
–> W used the opportunity + declared that any who were attacking Somerset attacked him
What events occurred in Jan 1550?
Leading Catholic members of the Council (Earls Arundel + Southampton) had been dismissed
Warwick made Lord President of the Council
Had placed his own supports around Edward
BUT in order to succeed, he had been forced to ally with more religiously radical members (would have an impact on r development)
What did Warwick (Duke of Northumberland) do when he was secure?
Attempted a Reconciliation with Somerset
- -> S restored to Court + Privy Council
- -> S goods were restored to him
- -> S daughter married Northumberlands son
When was Somerset executed?
Why was Somerset executed?
22nd January 1552
Somerset continued to plot in an attempt to recover his position - although some evidence may have been fabricated to justify his death
How did the factional struggle from October 1549 to early 1550 affect the administration of the country?
The administration of the country continued to function + it did not impact the efficiency of gov
The Crisis in October was short-lived + // did not threaten the monarchy
