To what extent did the membership of the Council and its relationship with the monarch change from 1540

Question 1

From 1540, how was the membership of the Council changed.

Answer 1

• Considerably reduced - fixed to include just the most trusted advisers of the monarch.
• Although, in the reigns of Edward VI and Mary - not fully apparent it was a lasting change.
• Continued trend under Elizabeth, when Council membership narrowed still further.

Question 2

How many Council members in Henry VII’s reign

Answer 2

227 members - whom attended only infrequently.

Question 3

How many Council members in Henry VIII’s reign

Answer 3

1509-1529 (Under Wolsey) = 120 members
1536-1537 = 19
1540 = 19

Question 4

How many Council members in Edward VI’s reign

Answer 4

1548 = 19
1552 = 31

Question 5

How many Council members in Mary I’s reign

Answer 5

1553-1558 = 50

Question 6

How many Council members in Elizabeth I’s reign

Answer 6

1559 = 19
1586 = 19
1597 = 11
1603 = 13

Question 7

Why did the numbers of the Council members differ?

Answer 7

The fluctuations reflected the individual styles and needs of the monarchs

Question 8

Why did Council membership change under Edward VI

Answer 8

Grew because Edward was a child, and a larger Council was needed in order to govern the country while the king was too young to do so himself.

Question 9

How was the Council’s role undermined under Somerset - who controlled Edward?

Answer 9

Somerset preferred to make decisions and rule using men from his own household like Sir John Thynne. These men were loyal to Somerset and given key roles in the king’s household and chamber - allowed to influence Edward.