14. The devise and succession in 1553

Question 1

What did it say in Henry VIII’s will?

Answer 1

That if Edward died without children, he would be succeeded by Princess Mary

Question 2

When was Edward taken ill?

Answer 2

February 1553

Question 3

Why was Edward’s decline in health a problem for Northumberland?

Answer 3

Mary would come to the throne, which would restore England to Catholicism, and threaten Northumberland’s career and life

Question 4

What was Edward anxious to continue?

Answer 4

Protestantism

Question 5

What was Edward prepared to do to continue Protestantism?

Answer 5

Exclude both his half sisters from the throne as he viewed them both as illegitimate

Question 6

Who was Edward and Northumberland’s preferred choice for the next monarch?

Answer 6

Lady Jane Grey

Question 7

Who was Lady Jane Grey?

Answer 7

The granddaughter of Henry VIII’s younger sister Mary, so Edward’s cousin

Question 8

Who was Lady Jane Grey married to?

Answer 8

Northumberland’s son, Guildford Dudley

Question 9

What was the succession initially altered by?

Answer 9

the ‘devise for the succession’

Question 10

When was the Devise for the Succession issued?

Answer 10

May 1553

Question 11

What did the Devise for the Succession do?

Answer 11

Changed the line of succession to either a brother of Lady Jane Grey or Lady Jane Grey’s male heirs

Question 12

What did Edward want his heir to be?

Answer 12

male

Question 13

Why did Edward draw up his second Devise?

Answer 13

It was clear that no male would be born into the Grey line before he died

Question 14

When was Edward’s second devise drawn up?

Answer 14

early June 1553

Question 15

What did the second devise do?

Answer 15

Made Lady Jane Grey heir

Question 16

What was drawn up for the council?

Answer 16

Articles

Question 17

Who had to sign the articles?

Answer 17

Councillors to show their commitment

Question 18

When did Edward die?

Answer 18

6th July 1553

Question 19

What did Edward die before?

Answer 19

Before parliament could ratify the scheme

Question 20

How long was Edward’s death kept quiet for?

Answer 20

2 days

Question 21

Why was Edward’s death kept quiet?

Answer 21

So prominent men in London could be forced to sign the Devise

Question 22

Who supported the scheme?

Answer 22

The privy council

Question 23

Who raised forces?

Answer 23

The council ordered sheriffs and justices of nearby counties to raise forces

Question 24

What did Mary do once she heard of Edward’s death?

Answer 24

She sent letters to the privy council proclaiming herself Queen and emphasising her legitimacy

Question 25

What did the Privy Council do about Mary's letters?

Answer 25

They dismissed her claims and declared Jane queen (against her own wishes)

Question 26

When did Jane become queen?

Answer 26

10th July 1553

Question 27

What did Mary do in response to Jane becoming queen?

Answer 27

Mary sent letters of summons to raise an army, and asking the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, to help

Question 28

What did Northumberland have to do because of Mary?

Answer 28

Leave London and march to Framlingham Castle, where Mary was based

Question 29

What happened when Northumberland was out of the city?

Answer 29

The privy council changed sides and declared for Mary

Question 30

What happened while Northumberland marched for Mary?

Answer 30

Many of his troops deserted, despite Northumberland offering extra pay

Question 31

What did Northumberland do as a result of his troops deserting him?

Answer 31

He abandoned his march and retreated to Cambridge, where he proclaimed Mary queen

Question 32

What happened when Mary entered London?

Answer 32

She was greeted with enthusiasm

Question 33

How many days did Jane rule as Queen?

Answer 33

9 days

Question 34

What happened to Jane?

Answer 34

She was imprisoned in the Tower of London with Guildford and Northumberland

Question 35

When was Northumberland executed?

Answer 35

22 August, despite his renunciation of Protestantism

Question 36

What did Mary think of Jane?

Answer 36

Intially, she accepted her as an innocent pawn. However, when Jane's father was involved in Wyatt's rebellion in early 1554, Jane was executed

Question 37

Why did the plan fail?

Answer 37

-Northumberland attempted to interfere with the legitimate succession -the Device was objectively illegal -Northumberland made lots of errors

Question 38

Why did people think Northumberland was trying to hold onto his own power?

Answer 38

He promoted the claims of his son's wife

Question 39

What tactical errors did Northumberland make?

Answer 39

-dismissed his professional troops in 1552 so struggled to raise an army -didn't ensure he had possession of Mary by the time Edward died -didn't launch a propaganda campaign to attempt to gain popular support