EdVI GOVERNMENT Flashcards
WHAT problems did EdVI’s government face when he came to power?
- EdVI couldn’t rule by himself as he was too young
- Religious divides
- Ruined crown finances after expensive wars
- Coinage had been debased
WHEN did EdVI come to power?
1547
HOW OLD was EdVI when he came to power?
9 years old
WHAT was put in place to govern England while EdVI was young?
A Regency Council, set up by HVIII’s will
WHO was involved in EdVI’s Regency Council?
- A large group (16, plus a further 12 if needed) to split power.
- Balance of Protestants (e.g. Hertford/Somerset, Cranmer) and religious conservatives (e.g. Thomas Wriothesley)
- Lawyers and administrators
- Some of the great noble families were NOT involved
WHY did the Regency Council end under EdVI?
They delegated power to Hertford (Edward Seymour/Somerset/Ed’s uncle) who was appointed Lord Protector
HOW did Somerset govern England?
- Rapidly promoted his own supporters to the Regency Council (e.g. Thomas Seymour, Earl of Warwick/Northumberland, Cranmer)
- The council met at Somerset’s home so he had control over who had contact to the government
- Used the dry stamp and royal proclamations (had been common under HVIII)
WHAT was Somerset’s relationship with EdVI like?
He was strict and didn’t allow Edward to play any part in government. He limited his pocket money, but gave him a thorough education
WHO was against Somerset’s government?
There was an increasing resentment in the Privy Council of the Protectorate. He created a lot of enemies through his style of government and his failures (e.g. his brother Thomas Seymour, who plotted against him, and the Earl of Warwick/Northumberland)
WHY did Somerset’s government end?
Warwick (Northumberland), Southampton and 2 other noblemen plotted against him, using the rebellions of 1549 as an excuse. Somerset fled, but was arrested on orders of the Regency Council.
WHEN did Somerset’s government end?
1549
HOW did Northumberland’s council rule England?
- Aimed to avoid a concentration of power by using the Privy Council
- BUT, he appointed himself as Lord Chamberlain and his supporter, Gates, as Vice Chamberlain to control the court.
- After a second coup, he excluded many conservatives who had previously supported him (e.g. Southampton)
WHEN did Northumberland begin to rule England on his own (without the council)?
1552
WHICH duke has historically been seen as the ‘good duke’?
Somerset
WHAT have recent historians said about Northumberland, the ‘bad duke’?
Dale Hoak: he was no more unscrupulous than any other Tudor politician
David Loades: ‘a major figure in English government for a crucial decade,’ and a ‘hardened professional’
