Edward VI
Issues –
Rule of minor dominated by 2 flawed men – needs a regent – regency council is solution
from Henry – council shares power – two men emerge – first Somerset as protector after
Henry’s death (blood relative to Edward) – removed from power due to incompetency in
1549 – Northumberland emerges and takes over – both deeply flawed as they are the
subjects of their own doing – Somerset arrogant and did not work with other people and
disregarded their views – Northumberland thought he could subvert from other’s views
Period dominated by financial problems, inflation, war, and debasement – Crown did not
have enough money – consistent war meaning consistent high taxation – govt had high
borrowing = inflation – debasement led to further inflation – hardships for English people –
leads to major rebellion and govt loses control- 2 major rebellions in 1549
Succession – Edward knew he was dying due to his fatal illness – Mary next in line for throne
– Edward knew about Mary’s Catholic sympathies, and she would try to return country to
Catholicism – her views on Catholicism at odds with the way in which Church of England had
been reformed since 1547 – Catholic monarch would undermine the lengths Henry went to
break ties with Rome – there was support for Mary which put Edward under pressure –
accession of a female ruler also raised issues in 16 th century society – creation of the device
= led to removal of Mary and Elizabeth from line of succession as both considered to be
illegitimate – left throne to Jane and her heirs – theoretically solved the issue of succession
– but with foresight we know that Mary did become Queen so undermines creation of
Device
Regency Council –
Henry set it up in his will – aware of factions – intention of it was to rule the council until
Edward was of age – there was no one feasible to act as regent – Somerset emerged as
Protector of the Realm – Henry did not want a Protestant King – he wanted Catholic set up
with him as head not Pope – Henry thought he could legislate beyond the grave
Somerset –
Always been historical debate about Somerset – own propaganda portrayed him as the
good Duke – champion of the poor and a talented military commander and selflessly
devoted to his nephew Edward – wanted himself to appear as virtuous, gentle, and idealistic
– but many contemporaries argue that he was ruthless and self-seeking – those close to him
said he was arrogant and tactless – Guy sees him as autocratic by nature which is ultimately
why he had to go
Religious Policy –
Inherited a divided Church that lacked decisive leadership and a clear direction – Somerset
was a moderate Protestant but Edward brought up to favour more radical religious change –
favoured religious toleration – Religious policy was moderate – as Lord Protector he
understood sensitivity in making religious changes – he insisted on uniformity and was
extremely intolerant when enforcing his religious policy – had personal sympathy with
, Protestant ideas – trying to enforce Protestantism but unable to do so due to rebellions of
1549 –1547 Treason Act = allowed religious issues to be discussed and removed censorship
Dec 1547 Somerset’s govt turn attention to dissolution of chantries and religious guilds –
this policy was economically motivated – property and wealth of all chantries and guilds
were systematically seized by the Crown – radical and dramatic attack on Catholic masses –
Somerset proceeded with the Act of Uniformity – paved the way for the publication of
Cranmer’s Common Book of Prayer in 1549 – by 1549 people had enough of turbulent times
caused by Somerset – religious practices had been changed beyond all recognition – candles
and processions were banned – stained glass and icons were condemned – led to
widespread iconoclasm
Foreign Policy –
Somerset inherited a risky foreign policy – was bound by Henry VIII’s will – involved
arrangement of marriage between Edward and MQS – Scotland did not want this –
Somerset had to deal with threats from Scotland and France – Somerset hoped to isolate
Scotland aby agreeing alliance with France – but with new French King who wanted to assert
himself, this backfired – Henry II new French King renewed the French-Scottish alliance – he
sent 4000 troops to Scotland – means that Somerset adopted aggressive foreign policy
towards Scotland – attacked with 16000 infantry – back by 30 warships and 50 supply ships
– Scottish army may have been large but were poorly equipped – Scots defeated at Battle of
Pinkie in Sept 1547 – successful for English army – but forts proved difficult to garrison –
English unable to capture castle at Edinburgh – French helped Scots in relieving Edinburgh
and gained control of young MQS – somerset underestimated France and Edinburgh’s
cooperation – this all had disastrous consequences for Somerset – his foreign policy cost
£600,000 – unable to achieve main objective of marrying Edward to MQS – MQS eventually
married Dauphin of France which strengthened the Auld alliance against England –
deterioration of relationship with France in 1549 led to threat of war and possibility of
French invasion – cannot blame Somerset entirely as he inherited foreign policy that was
almost impossible to win
Financial Policy –
Somerset’s rule saw acute inflation – by 1548 Thomas smith had identified debasement as
the cause of it – Somerset had continued war with Scotland – to fund this he continued
debasement of the coinage – further damaging the English economy – even though this
added £537,000 – it added to inflationary pressures and social distress – this was being
made worse by increasing population which put pressure on agriculture – commission was
established to investigate legality of recent enclosures – people had lost their lands and
customary rights when landowners had converted fields from open strips for crop
production into fenced off pastures for sheep grazing – there was real expectation that the
commissioners would order for a reversal of enclosure policy – investigation was a well-
meaning policy – but led to frustration between the rich and the poor
Western Rebellion –
Uprisings in 1547 and 1548 – Cornwall – due to fear of loss of church property – also due to
dislike of Crown’s agent in this – also due to social and economic discontent – anger among
sheep farmers at Somerset’s sheep tax – social tensions between peasants and landowners
– rebellion nicknamed ‘Prayer Book Rebellion’ – caused by Somerset’s 1549 Prayer book and
Issues –
Rule of minor dominated by 2 flawed men – needs a regent – regency council is solution
from Henry – council shares power – two men emerge – first Somerset as protector after
Henry’s death (blood relative to Edward) – removed from power due to incompetency in
1549 – Northumberland emerges and takes over – both deeply flawed as they are the
subjects of their own doing – Somerset arrogant and did not work with other people and
disregarded their views – Northumberland thought he could subvert from other’s views
Period dominated by financial problems, inflation, war, and debasement – Crown did not
have enough money – consistent war meaning consistent high taxation – govt had high
borrowing = inflation – debasement led to further inflation – hardships for English people –
leads to major rebellion and govt loses control- 2 major rebellions in 1549
Succession – Edward knew he was dying due to his fatal illness – Mary next in line for throne
– Edward knew about Mary’s Catholic sympathies, and she would try to return country to
Catholicism – her views on Catholicism at odds with the way in which Church of England had
been reformed since 1547 – Catholic monarch would undermine the lengths Henry went to
break ties with Rome – there was support for Mary which put Edward under pressure –
accession of a female ruler also raised issues in 16 th century society – creation of the device
= led to removal of Mary and Elizabeth from line of succession as both considered to be
illegitimate – left throne to Jane and her heirs – theoretically solved the issue of succession
– but with foresight we know that Mary did become Queen so undermines creation of
Device
Regency Council –
Henry set it up in his will – aware of factions – intention of it was to rule the council until
Edward was of age – there was no one feasible to act as regent – Somerset emerged as
Protector of the Realm – Henry did not want a Protestant King – he wanted Catholic set up
with him as head not Pope – Henry thought he could legislate beyond the grave
Somerset –
Always been historical debate about Somerset – own propaganda portrayed him as the
good Duke – champion of the poor and a talented military commander and selflessly
devoted to his nephew Edward – wanted himself to appear as virtuous, gentle, and idealistic
– but many contemporaries argue that he was ruthless and self-seeking – those close to him
said he was arrogant and tactless – Guy sees him as autocratic by nature which is ultimately
why he had to go
Religious Policy –
Inherited a divided Church that lacked decisive leadership and a clear direction – Somerset
was a moderate Protestant but Edward brought up to favour more radical religious change –
favoured religious toleration – Religious policy was moderate – as Lord Protector he
understood sensitivity in making religious changes – he insisted on uniformity and was
extremely intolerant when enforcing his religious policy – had personal sympathy with
, Protestant ideas – trying to enforce Protestantism but unable to do so due to rebellions of
1549 –1547 Treason Act = allowed religious issues to be discussed and removed censorship
Dec 1547 Somerset’s govt turn attention to dissolution of chantries and religious guilds –
this policy was economically motivated – property and wealth of all chantries and guilds
were systematically seized by the Crown – radical and dramatic attack on Catholic masses –
Somerset proceeded with the Act of Uniformity – paved the way for the publication of
Cranmer’s Common Book of Prayer in 1549 – by 1549 people had enough of turbulent times
caused by Somerset – religious practices had been changed beyond all recognition – candles
and processions were banned – stained glass and icons were condemned – led to
widespread iconoclasm
Foreign Policy –
Somerset inherited a risky foreign policy – was bound by Henry VIII’s will – involved
arrangement of marriage between Edward and MQS – Scotland did not want this –
Somerset had to deal with threats from Scotland and France – Somerset hoped to isolate
Scotland aby agreeing alliance with France – but with new French King who wanted to assert
himself, this backfired – Henry II new French King renewed the French-Scottish alliance – he
sent 4000 troops to Scotland – means that Somerset adopted aggressive foreign policy
towards Scotland – attacked with 16000 infantry – back by 30 warships and 50 supply ships
– Scottish army may have been large but were poorly equipped – Scots defeated at Battle of
Pinkie in Sept 1547 – successful for English army – but forts proved difficult to garrison –
English unable to capture castle at Edinburgh – French helped Scots in relieving Edinburgh
and gained control of young MQS – somerset underestimated France and Edinburgh’s
cooperation – this all had disastrous consequences for Somerset – his foreign policy cost
£600,000 – unable to achieve main objective of marrying Edward to MQS – MQS eventually
married Dauphin of France which strengthened the Auld alliance against England –
deterioration of relationship with France in 1549 led to threat of war and possibility of
French invasion – cannot blame Somerset entirely as he inherited foreign policy that was
almost impossible to win
Financial Policy –
Somerset’s rule saw acute inflation – by 1548 Thomas smith had identified debasement as
the cause of it – Somerset had continued war with Scotland – to fund this he continued
debasement of the coinage – further damaging the English economy – even though this
added £537,000 – it added to inflationary pressures and social distress – this was being
made worse by increasing population which put pressure on agriculture – commission was
established to investigate legality of recent enclosures – people had lost their lands and
customary rights when landowners had converted fields from open strips for crop
production into fenced off pastures for sheep grazing – there was real expectation that the
commissioners would order for a reversal of enclosure policy – investigation was a well-
meaning policy – but led to frustration between the rich and the poor
Western Rebellion –
Uprisings in 1547 and 1548 – Cornwall – due to fear of loss of church property – also due to
dislike of Crown’s agent in this – also due to social and economic discontent – anger among
sheep farmers at Somerset’s sheep tax – social tensions between peasants and landowners
– rebellion nicknamed ‘Prayer Book Rebellion’ – caused by Somerset’s 1549 Prayer book and
