A2 FP1 : Edward VI, Royal Authority under Somerset

Question 1

Conceptual Awareness

What problems surrounded Edward VI’s accesion to the throne?

Answer 1

The accession of the nine-year-old king created many problems, The King. on whose behalf the reigns of ruling had been seized by his uncle, Edward Seymour, would evidently not have a trouble free accession:
- Country was divided on religious grounds
- Crown finances had been ruined by the expensive wars against France and Scotland
- Coinage had been debased leading to considerable inflation and a decline in real wages.
- Crown had compromised its own security by selling off monastic land.

Question 2

Conceptual Awareness

What was the regency council?

Answer 2

Henry had set up a regency council in his will that was a balance between Protestants and Conservatives.

Question 3

How did Somerset begin to consolidate his position as Lord Protectorate?

Answer 3

After the regency council had delegated power to him, he began counting on the support of Archbishop Cranmer, the Earl of Warwick and Sir William Paget.
He rewarded himself and his supporters, making himself the Duke of Somerset and granted away substantial amounts of Crownland.
- Controlled the Privy Council through his appointment of his supporter, Sir William Stumpe, as chief gentleman.

Question 4

Why did factional rivalries increase within government?

Answer 4

Members of the Privy Council began to feel resentment towards Somerset for his dictatorial style of ruling, factional rivalries were intesified by the execution of Thomas Seymour for his plans to marry Elizabeth as many believed this to be an unjust punishment.
His Foreign Policy had proved disasterous and there was increased discontent following his poor response to the summer of rebellions in 1549.

Question 5

What decisions did Somerset face when he came to power?

Answer 5

• Should the war with Scotland be continued?
  England was in a vulnerable position due to the minority government and France could use Scotland to weaken it, and many nobls considered it a way to achieve glory and believed that backing out would betray national pride, however the Government was on the verge of bankrupcy.
• Should religious reforms continue?
  The reform faction dominated the council and there was a growing protestant minority in England, however, too much change could invite a Catholic Crusade and the majority of the population was Catholic.
• Shoudl the government make economic reforms a priority?
  There was growing popular discontent over enclosure, price rises and the breakdown of traditional communities. However, making changes to enclosure would alienate the gentry and raising taxes would be unpopular.

Question 6

What lead to Somerset’s downfall?

Answer 6

The Western and Kett Rebellions had threatened a complete breakdown of government in two regions of England, in both cases Somerset’s response was slow the point of paralysis.
- 4,000 deaths either side
- Those who opposed Somerset used the rebellions as their time to strike and on the 11th October, 1549, Somerset was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower.
- Released February 1550 however rumours circulated that Somerset was gathering support to take power from the council ; he was arrested and executed January 1552.