The Succession Plot 1553/Edward's Death

Question 1

When did Edward die?

Answer 1

Evening of July 6th 1553.

Question 2

How was Lady Jane Grey related to Henry VIII?

Answer 2

Great niece.

Question 3

When did Edward fall ill?

Answer 3

Late January 1553 with a chest infection or TB.

Question 4

When were there some signs of improvements in Edward’s health?

Answer 4

By April 1553.

Question 5

When did Edward’s physicians predicted a full recovery?

Answer 5

May 1553.

Question 6

What happened in late May 1553?

Answer 6

Edward suffered a serious relapse, probably contracting septicaemia.

Question 7

Why was Lady Jane Grey chosen to be the successor of Edward?

Answer 7

She was Protestant.

Question 8

What were the first changes made to the will in January by Edward?

Answer 8

• He intended to bar Mary’s succession on the grounds that she was Catholic.
• Initially suggested that the Crown should pass to ‘Lady Jane’s heirs male’.

Question 9

What were the second changes made to the will on June 12th?

Answer 9

• 12 June - The order was given for a new will to be drawn up incorporating Edward’s Devise.
• Throne would now pass to ‘the Lady Jane and her heirs male’ because there was no time for Jane to have any children.

Question 10

(Not really a change)

What were the third changes made to the will on June 21st?

Answer 10

• Edward =a minor ~ not able to make a will or override a parliamentary statue.
• Montague, Lord Chief Justice, reluctantly agreed to draft the will, but warned that it was not legal.
• 21 June - anyone who was of any importance was made to sign the will in front of the dying king.

Question 11

Why would Northumberland
have wanted to remove Mary from the succession?

Answer 11

• It was essential to preserve his power.
• As a Protestant he would lose power when the Catholic Mary came to the throne.
• His son married Lady Jane Grey.

Question 12

Why would Edward want to remove his own sister from the succession?

Answer 12

Evidence for Edward being the driving force;

• Playing a greater role in government, attending PC meetings and setting agendas.
• A committed Protestant so wanted to stop a Catholic monarch from changing his Edwardian Reformation.

Question 13

Why did the Succession Plot in 1553 fail?

Answer 13

• Did not mobilise the full military forces at their disposal.
• Did not act decisively.
• Left London.
• Needed to rally forces, distribute propaganda and lock in support of the Privy Council - unpopular.

Question 14

Why did Mary succeed?

Answer 14

• Acted without hesitation by raising a force, proclaiming herself Queen, issuing proclamations, asking Charles V for support.
• Legitimate claim ~ divine right of kings and the act of succession.
• Committed and broad spectrum of support ~ religious conservatism.

Question 15

Tenth = Tower

What happened on the 10th of July for Northumberland?

Answer 15

Lady Jane Grey taken to the Tower where she is declared Queen.

Question 16

Northumberland = Norfolk

What happened on the 11th of July for Northumberland?

Answer 16

Northumberland goes to Norfolk to restore order.

Question 17

Thirteenth = Troops

What happened on the 13th of July for Northumberland?

Answer 17

Northumberland sets out with 2,000 troops to defeat Mary due to having no-one else to send.

Question 18

What happened on the 15th of July for Northumberland?

Answer 18

Privy Council in the Tower for protection but did not send the reinforcements that Northumberland had requested.

Question 19

What happened on the 17th of July for Northumberland?

Answer 19

• Northumberland’s forces started to desert and refuse to go further as they had heard rumours that Mary had 30,000 in her camp.
• Northumberland retreated.

Question 20

When was Northumberland arrested and where?

Answer 20

20th of July in Cambridge by Arundel.

Question 21

What happened on the 10th of July for Mary?

Answer 21

• Proclaimed herself Queen in East Anglia.
• The Council rejected her claim and she began mustering troops.

Question 22

What happened on the 12th of July for Mary?

Answer 22

Reports arrived from East Anglia of noble families supporting Mary.

Question 23

What happened on the 15th of July for Mary?

Answer 23

Mary had moved to Framlingham Castle with large numbers of supporters declaring for her.

Question 24

What happened on the 19th of July for Mary?

Answer 24

• In London almost all of the Privy Council left the Tower and said that they had fallen into error ~ Lady Jane Grey’s father announced to his daughter that she was no longer queen.
• Mary was proclaimed Queen in London and people celebrated.

Question 25

What did Mary do on the 3rd of August?

Answer 25

Entered London to great celebrations.

Question 26

When was Northumberland executed?

Answer 26

22nd of August 1553.

Question 27

What was the number of forces Mary had on the 19th of July?

Answer 27

20,000.

Question 28

When was Mary proclaimed Queen?

Answer 28

July 19th 1553.

Question 29

Where did Mary proclaim herself Queen and why was this significant?

Answer 29

East Anglia - Protestant area ~ shows she had Protestant support even though she was Catholic.

Question 30

How many troops did Northumberland set out with to defeat Mary on the 13th of July?

Answer 30

2,000.