REBELLIONS IN THE YEARS 1549 TO 1571 STEMMED FROM THE WEAKNESS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.'
Weak government- central government had little control over local economic problems whilst being
blamed for them, and that central government relied on the local nobility and JPs to implement and
impose policies. (Kett rebellion, western rebellion)
Religion- impact of the Protestant policies of Edward’s government, Mary I’s Catholicism, and the
Elizabethan Religious Settlement.
Wider political causes- socio-economic causes, such as the impact of tax increases and the effects of
enclosure. Wider political causes, such as the role of political discontent and ambition, and the uncertainty
of the succession throughout the period could also be considered.
Conclusion- whilst weak central government appears to have facilitated rebellions, as it lacked the
resources (political, military) to contain discontent before it erupted into rebellion, it does not seem to
have promoted them. Rather, religious change, with its often traumatic religious and social effects, appears
to have been the key causal factor for rebellions during the period, aggravated by other socio-economic
factors.
HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS ENGLISH FOREIGN POLICY IN THE YEARS 1547 - 1558?
Somerset- unsuccessful- continued henrys destructive foreign policy, his political aim was to secure a
marriage between Edward and Mary, he underestimated the power of Scotland. Somerset sought to
invade Scotland in 1547 at the battle of pinkie, however they failed to capture Dunbar and Edinburgh, this
allowed France to interfere, disrupting English efforts to conquer Scotland, the victory also served to stir up
Scottish nationalism. This led to Marys marriage to Francis in august 1548, somerset was therefore unable
to secure a marriage alliance and was defeated not just in battle but solidified France and Scotland
relationship. French connection with Mary might give France a backdoor into English politics. Those who
believed that Mary was the rightful heir to the throne after the death of Edward and Mary Tudor, they now
had French backing. In June 1548, a French fleet landed 10,000 troops in Scotland and in August Mary,
Queen of Scots, moved to France. Henry II stated that he now believed that Scotland and France were one
nation. Failure as- England wasn't strong enough to take and control all of Scotland, they spent £600k and
debased the coin on a war which ultimately cemented the French-Scottish alliance.
Success- 5,000 English troops were besieged at Haddington Castle, Somerset was faced with a serious
problem. He knew that he could not send any more men to Scotland as Henry II was massing his forces just
outside of Boulogne. The one thing in his favour was the historic dislike between France and the Holy
Roman Empire. Somerset correctly gambled on the fact that Charles V would not tolerate France occupying
such a vital port as Boulogne. This gave Somerset the time to send a force of just under 14,000 men to
Haddington where the garrison force was relieved. It became clear that Scottish nobles were unhappy with
the way the French believed they could conduct military policy in Scotland and relations between the two
swiftly deteriorated.
Northumberland- success- he achieved stability in England, ending the war with France and Scotland.
Reliving the strains on the economy. This was achieved though the treaty of Boulogne where
Northumberland gave Boulogne back the French for £133,333. This meant he could focus on domestic
issues, this demonstrates a foreign policy success during Northumberland’s years, not entering into war-
even when encouraged e.g. Charles with habsburg-valois wars, this illustrates how ultimately foreign policy
was successful as stability led to international alliances such as the treaty of angers 1551, where Edward
became engaged to Henry II’s daughter Elizabeth.
Weak government- central government had little control over local economic problems whilst being
blamed for them, and that central government relied on the local nobility and JPs to implement and
impose policies. (Kett rebellion, western rebellion)
Religion- impact of the Protestant policies of Edward’s government, Mary I’s Catholicism, and the
Elizabethan Religious Settlement.
Wider political causes- socio-economic causes, such as the impact of tax increases and the effects of
enclosure. Wider political causes, such as the role of political discontent and ambition, and the uncertainty
of the succession throughout the period could also be considered.
Conclusion- whilst weak central government appears to have facilitated rebellions, as it lacked the
resources (political, military) to contain discontent before it erupted into rebellion, it does not seem to
have promoted them. Rather, religious change, with its often traumatic religious and social effects, appears
to have been the key causal factor for rebellions during the period, aggravated by other socio-economic
factors.
HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS ENGLISH FOREIGN POLICY IN THE YEARS 1547 - 1558?
Somerset- unsuccessful- continued henrys destructive foreign policy, his political aim was to secure a
marriage between Edward and Mary, he underestimated the power of Scotland. Somerset sought to
invade Scotland in 1547 at the battle of pinkie, however they failed to capture Dunbar and Edinburgh, this
allowed France to interfere, disrupting English efforts to conquer Scotland, the victory also served to stir up
Scottish nationalism. This led to Marys marriage to Francis in august 1548, somerset was therefore unable
to secure a marriage alliance and was defeated not just in battle but solidified France and Scotland
relationship. French connection with Mary might give France a backdoor into English politics. Those who
believed that Mary was the rightful heir to the throne after the death of Edward and Mary Tudor, they now
had French backing. In June 1548, a French fleet landed 10,000 troops in Scotland and in August Mary,
Queen of Scots, moved to France. Henry II stated that he now believed that Scotland and France were one
nation. Failure as- England wasn't strong enough to take and control all of Scotland, they spent £600k and
debased the coin on a war which ultimately cemented the French-Scottish alliance.
Success- 5,000 English troops were besieged at Haddington Castle, Somerset was faced with a serious
problem. He knew that he could not send any more men to Scotland as Henry II was massing his forces just
outside of Boulogne. The one thing in his favour was the historic dislike between France and the Holy
Roman Empire. Somerset correctly gambled on the fact that Charles V would not tolerate France occupying
such a vital port as Boulogne. This gave Somerset the time to send a force of just under 14,000 men to
Haddington where the garrison force was relieved. It became clear that Scottish nobles were unhappy with
the way the French believed they could conduct military policy in Scotland and relations between the two
swiftly deteriorated.
Northumberland- success- he achieved stability in England, ending the war with France and Scotland.
Reliving the strains on the economy. This was achieved though the treaty of Boulogne where
Northumberland gave Boulogne back the French for £133,333. This meant he could focus on domestic
issues, this demonstrates a foreign policy success during Northumberland’s years, not entering into war-
even when encouraged e.g. Charles with habsburg-valois wars, this illustrates how ultimately foreign policy
was successful as stability led to international alliances such as the treaty of angers 1551, where Edward
became engaged to Henry II’s daughter Elizabeth.
