Tuesday, 15 March y
Northumberland
Policies under the Privy Council
- Person who benefitted the most from the fall of Somerset was the Earl of Warwick- he
led the troops in the Kett’s rebellion and he had supporters in government.
- He had no direct links to the king so he had to gain support within the council.
- He gained the title of Duke of Northumberland but it wasn ’t until February 1550 that he
was fully in charge, with the title of Lord of President of the Council.
- Used to be seen as a ruthless opportunist, but it is now generally recognised he was
working in difficult circumstances.
Religious Policy
- To secure his dominant position in the Privy Council he was keen to support people
with radical views.
- Conservatives such as Gardiner (Catholic) lost their prominent positions and were im-
prisoned in the Tower of London. Bishop Bonner of London, was deprived of his dio-
cese.
- January 1552 Parliament assembled- religious reform discussed and laws passed.
- Treason Act: became offence to question Royal Supremacy or any of the beliefs of the
English Church
- The Second Act of Uniformity: offensive for both clergy and laity not to attend Church
of England services- fined or imprisoned
- 1552 Prayer Book removed all traces of Catholicism and the mass. Significance of the
Eucharist was reduced, with more emphasis on it being a commemorative ceremony.
- 1553 instructions were sent out to bishops that altars were replaced by communion ta-
bles and that clergy should not wear vestments when taking services.
- Attack on Church wealth was partly motivated by government needs- commissioners
began the removal of all gold and silver plate still held in parish churches. Process had
only just begun when Edward VI died.
1
Northumberland
Policies under the Privy Council
- Person who benefitted the most from the fall of Somerset was the Earl of Warwick- he
led the troops in the Kett’s rebellion and he had supporters in government.
- He had no direct links to the king so he had to gain support within the council.
- He gained the title of Duke of Northumberland but it wasn ’t until February 1550 that he
was fully in charge, with the title of Lord of President of the Council.
- Used to be seen as a ruthless opportunist, but it is now generally recognised he was
working in difficult circumstances.
Religious Policy
- To secure his dominant position in the Privy Council he was keen to support people
with radical views.
- Conservatives such as Gardiner (Catholic) lost their prominent positions and were im-
prisoned in the Tower of London. Bishop Bonner of London, was deprived of his dio-
cese.
- January 1552 Parliament assembled- religious reform discussed and laws passed.
- Treason Act: became offence to question Royal Supremacy or any of the beliefs of the
English Church
- The Second Act of Uniformity: offensive for both clergy and laity not to attend Church
of England services- fined or imprisoned
- 1552 Prayer Book removed all traces of Catholicism and the mass. Significance of the
Eucharist was reduced, with more emphasis on it being a commemorative ceremony.
- 1553 instructions were sent out to bishops that altars were replaced by communion ta-
bles and that clergy should not wear vestments when taking services.
- Attack on Church wealth was partly motivated by government needs- commissioners
began the removal of all gold and silver plate still held in parish churches. Process had
only just begun when Edward VI died.
1
