5 - the devise & succession in 1553 & 1558 Flashcards
The Stability of the Monarchy
When did Edward’s health start to deteriorate?
early months of 1553
Who was meant to inherit the throne according to the Succession Acts & Henry’s will?
Mary (Edward’s half-sister)
Who was said to have plotted to exclude Mary?
Northumberland (Lord President of the Council)
Why did Northumberland plot to exclude Mary from the succession?
- it was essential to preserve his power
- he would lose power as a Protestant when Catholic Mary came to the throne
Who did Lady Jane Grey marry?
Guildford Dudley (Northumberland’s son)
evidence of Edward being the driving force behind the attempts to exclude Mary
- playing a greater role in government (attended some Privy Council meetings & set some agendas)
- a committed Protestant, wanted to stop throne from passing to Catholic Mary
- wanted religious reform programme he’d started to continue
The Devise for the Succession (1553)
- named the male heirs of Grey family as successors
- initial Devise altered as there were no male heirs & no likelihood of any being born before Edward died
- Jane Grey was made heir
When was the Devise for the Succession initially drawn up?
May 1553
The Plot to Exclude Mary
- poorly managed (suggests that it was Edward behind it)
Why was the plot to exclude Mary being poorly managed evidence that Edward was behind it instead of Northumberland?
- Northumberland was an experienced soldier & would’ve made sure he had sufficient forces
- would’ve ensured Mary was captured (she escaped to East Anglia)
- would’ve launched a propaganda campaign to prepare nation for change in succession
Where did Mary escape to while there was plotting against her?
East Anglia
When did Edward die?
6th July 1553
How long was Edward’s death kept quiet for?
2 days
What did Mary do as soon as news of Edward’s death broke out?
- proclaimed herself queen
- sent letters to Privy Council & important towns to tell them
- believed herself to be the rightful & legitimate monarch
Why was the question of legitimacy so important for the ruling class?
if they supported an illegitimate claim, all laws could be challenged & their right to land questioned (Acts of Attainder)
