How successful was Mary’s government
How far, in the years 1547 to 1569, did concerns over the succession threaten the stability
of England?
To what extent was there a crisis of government in the years 1547 to 1571?
Succession
Foreign policy
Rebellion
This period focuses on the mid-Tudor crisis and the instability of Edward IV, Mary I and Elizabeth’s
government. Focusing on the succession crisis, the issue of rebellion and the economy. Despite these
issues causing much instability, the throne was ever seriously threatened, and the rightful heir always
succeeded the throne. Therefore, the instability never caused a full crisis in government.
A major cause of crisis within government throughout all three monarchies in this period was the issue of
succession. This issue began in 1547 with the death of Henry VIII. When he died, Edward IV was only 9
years old. This meant that he was unable to rule for himself and the issues of government were therefore
left to a regency council (led by Edward Somerset). Before coming to age and leaving his own heir,
Edward died in 1553. This shows a crisis in government as the they had to quickly plan for the next
legitimate heir. Despite Mary being the next legitimate heir, Edward had no intention on allowing her to
take the throne (due to religious differences). Therefore, the Devyse Plan was established. This plan
again highlights crisis in government as it shows leaders intention to mess with the line of succession.
This shows a level of instability and crisis because it could potentially be hard to get support from the
public for a monarch who is not rightfully chosen by God. This can be seen in 1553 with Mary’s attempts
to take the throne despite Lady Jane Grey being crowned as King. This caused a slight crisis in
, government as the public did not know where their loyalties should lie. That said in 1553, Mary ascended
the throne with majority support. This shows that where the issue of succession brought a slight crisis, the
issue was resolved with the true monarch taking the throne. Thus, showing that the crisis was only short
term. The issue of succession continued into Elizabeths reign in 1558 as Mary left no heir of her own to
take the throne. Therefore, where Elizabeth made the decision to have no child herself, it became very
uncertain who should take the throne. This caused a crisis within Elizabeths reign as her relationship with
her councilors and parliament was often unstable. For example, in 1562, Elizabeth had been stricken with
smallpox and there was widespread fear of her dying – this led to a succession crisis and huge fear
amongst her councilors. As a result of this, in 1566 Parliament pressed her to marry. This resulted in
Elizabeth reacting furiously, for example she banished Leicester and Cecil from the Presence Chamber.
This shows a slight crisis in succession in government as the relationship between the queen, parliament
and some of her most loyal councilors was broken. However, it had little impact on the people and the
country and therefore, it is an overstatement to call it a crisis. It is true that succession caused much
instability across this period, however, as the issues were often short-term with little impact on the people,
it is not enough to call it a crisis.
Another area of crisis across this period was the impact of rebellion. At the start of this period, rebellion in
Edwards reign did cause a slight crisis. Despite the rebellions receiving little support, due to the vast
number of them across the country, 1449 developed the name the ‘many headed monster’. For example,
there was a large rebellion in Deven and Cornwall (Western Rebellion) and East Anglia (Kett’s rebellion)
as well as further threats in 21 other counties. This highlights how rebellion was a cause of crisis in
Edward’s reign as the government did not have sufficient recourses to defeat all rebellions. However,
describing this time as a crisis can be seen as an overexaggeration as his government did not come close
to collapsing. Instead, despite rebellion, Edward had the support of the people as many rebels in the
How far, in the years 1547 to 1569, did concerns over the succession threaten the stability
of England?
To what extent was there a crisis of government in the years 1547 to 1571?
Succession
Foreign policy
Rebellion
This period focuses on the mid-Tudor crisis and the instability of Edward IV, Mary I and Elizabeth’s
government. Focusing on the succession crisis, the issue of rebellion and the economy. Despite these
issues causing much instability, the throne was ever seriously threatened, and the rightful heir always
succeeded the throne. Therefore, the instability never caused a full crisis in government.
A major cause of crisis within government throughout all three monarchies in this period was the issue of
succession. This issue began in 1547 with the death of Henry VIII. When he died, Edward IV was only 9
years old. This meant that he was unable to rule for himself and the issues of government were therefore
left to a regency council (led by Edward Somerset). Before coming to age and leaving his own heir,
Edward died in 1553. This shows a crisis in government as the they had to quickly plan for the next
legitimate heir. Despite Mary being the next legitimate heir, Edward had no intention on allowing her to
take the throne (due to religious differences). Therefore, the Devyse Plan was established. This plan
again highlights crisis in government as it shows leaders intention to mess with the line of succession.
This shows a level of instability and crisis because it could potentially be hard to get support from the
public for a monarch who is not rightfully chosen by God. This can be seen in 1553 with Mary’s attempts
to take the throne despite Lady Jane Grey being crowned as King. This caused a slight crisis in
, government as the public did not know where their loyalties should lie. That said in 1553, Mary ascended
the throne with majority support. This shows that where the issue of succession brought a slight crisis, the
issue was resolved with the true monarch taking the throne. Thus, showing that the crisis was only short
term. The issue of succession continued into Elizabeths reign in 1558 as Mary left no heir of her own to
take the throne. Therefore, where Elizabeth made the decision to have no child herself, it became very
uncertain who should take the throne. This caused a crisis within Elizabeths reign as her relationship with
her councilors and parliament was often unstable. For example, in 1562, Elizabeth had been stricken with
smallpox and there was widespread fear of her dying – this led to a succession crisis and huge fear
amongst her councilors. As a result of this, in 1566 Parliament pressed her to marry. This resulted in
Elizabeth reacting furiously, for example she banished Leicester and Cecil from the Presence Chamber.
This shows a slight crisis in succession in government as the relationship between the queen, parliament
and some of her most loyal councilors was broken. However, it had little impact on the people and the
country and therefore, it is an overstatement to call it a crisis. It is true that succession caused much
instability across this period, however, as the issues were often short-term with little impact on the people,
it is not enough to call it a crisis.
Another area of crisis across this period was the impact of rebellion. At the start of this period, rebellion in
Edwards reign did cause a slight crisis. Despite the rebellions receiving little support, due to the vast
number of them across the country, 1449 developed the name the ‘many headed monster’. For example,
there was a large rebellion in Deven and Cornwall (Western Rebellion) and East Anglia (Kett’s rebellion)
as well as further threats in 21 other counties. This highlights how rebellion was a cause of crisis in
Edward’s reign as the government did not have sufficient recourses to defeat all rebellions. However,
describing this time as a crisis can be seen as an overexaggeration as his government did not come close
to collapsing. Instead, despite rebellion, Edward had the support of the people as many rebels in the
