1.3: Mid-Tudors: Edward VI (1547-1553) Flashcards
1.3.1: Edward VI1.3.2: The social impact of religious and economic changes under Edward VI (18 cards)
What was the state of Royal Authority when Edward VI gained power
Because Edward took the throne at 9, the Regency council (16 members + an extra 12), so decisions were made by a majority, this was outlined in Henry VIII’s will (mix of religions)
How was Henrys will overthrown
Edward Seymour made himself the Duke of Somerset, he was the one who overthrew the will he adapted a personal style of government keeping the ‘dry-stamp’, known as the ‘Quasi King’ using proclamations 76 times
Describe the contrast between Somerset and Northumberland
He did title himself, but he was known as the Lord President, appointing Cecil, who had 20 councillors that regularly met, he was unfortunate that sweating sickness and bad harvest plagued his reign and he was involved in the Devyse for a Succession
What were the problems of succession
Edward became seriously ill in 1553 and he didnt want Mary to succeed him, so Lade Jane Grey took over for around two weeks. On the 21st June Mary and Elizabeth were declared illegitimate, then Edward dies on 6th July, however Mary took over 12 days later and Northumberland was thrown into the tower
What was Edwards relationship like with France
Mar 1547 Francis I signed a defensive treaty with Somerset. Henry II reupdated the treaty immediately (B)
Jun 1548 Henry II had assumed the role of Protector of Scotland (N/A)
1550: Treaty of Boulogne: Given back to the French and it reduced defences in Calais to 25000 per annum (G)
What was Edwards relationship like with Scotland
Somerset aimed at a dynastic union between England and Scotland but this failed so he resorted to military action = Partial success at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547
Somerset attempted to place military garrisons along the Scottish border to enforce his policy and he sought peace with France to do so, spending 580000 but not enough to defeat the French
What was Edwards relationship like with Spain
Somerset wanted Charles V as an ally so he delayed religious reform
France couldn’t declare war on England while Charles V was in charge and while their alliance was strong
1551: Treaty of Angers matched Henry II’s daughter with Edward
What was Edwards relationship like with Ireland
Royal control was not established beyond ‘The Pale’
Northumberland started to colonate Ireland
A State church was established
Costley 250000 overall
Name three significant religious changes under Somerset
1547: Chantries, Guilds and Confraternities abolished
1547-48: Injunctions then destruction of images and stained glass windows
May 1549: 1st Common Prayer Book backed by the Act of Uniformity
Name three significant religious changes under Northumberland
1550: Altars abolished and replaced with communion tables
1551: All Chruch plate was recalled
1552: 2nd Common Prayer Book backed by the Second Act of Uniformity
What were three big impacts to society surrounding religious change
Decline in church attendance for example in Exeter, 20% rise in Protestants in London and Lollard views able to be expressed encouraging further reform
What economic challenges existed as Edward VI took the throne?
Inflation and Rising Prices: Due to the debasement of the coinage under Henry VIII, the value of money dropped, causing inflation.
Enclosure: Landowners were enclosing common lands for sheep farming, displacing peasant farmers and increasing rural unemployment.
Costly Wars: Ongoing conflicts, particularly in Scotland and France, drained royal finances.
What was the Vagrancy Act of 1547 and why was it so controversial?
The Vagrancy Act of 1547, aimed to tackle the growing problem of vagrancy: Any able-bodied person out of work for more than three days could be branded with a ‘V’ and sold into slavery for two years.
It was seen as excessively harsh and inhumane, even by contemporary standards. The Act was so unpopular that it was repealed in 1550.
What other unpopular developments occurred under Somerset?
Continued Debasement: To fund war, he continued to reduce the silver content in coins, worsening inflation. Authoritarian Rule: He ruled largely by proclamations and was seen as arrogant, even by his peers on the Privy Council.
How did Northumberland address the economic issues?
Ended Debasement: He stopped debasing the coinage and began plans for recoinage, restoring some monetary stability. Sold Crown Lands: To reduce debt, he sold crown lands, although this was a short-term solution.
What was the Western rebellion?
It was over the introduction of the new prayer book in 1549, but it was also to do with the additional sheep tax. They besieged Exeter, they were stopped by Lord Russell
What was the Kett’s rebellion?
Hatred of local government officials. Resentment of landowners abuse of Norfolk foldcourse. Rebels began firing on Norwich, the rebels were finally defeated by Northumberland’s forces
What intellectual developments were there under Edward VI
Humanism based on Erasmus still held influence, each parish church had a copy of Erasmus’s paraphrasers. Martyr and Bucer gained influence. However Hooper (a radical) had gained more influence toward the end of Edwards reign
