What 3 economic factors brought discontent during Somerset’s period of rule?
Taxation
Agrarian issues, particularly enclosure and harvest failure
Inflationary pressures
Why did inflation increase under Somerset?
He continued Henry’s disastrous policy of debasing the coinage to finance the war against Scotland
Poor harvest in 1548
What did John hales argue about enclosure?
It was the root cause of many of the country’s social and economic problems
Under John hales’ influence what did Somerset set up?
A commission to investigate the problem of enclose
What were positive and negative about Somerset’s enclosure commission?
+ enclosure Commissioners were appointed
- raised expectations of the poor
How was Somerset’s Scottish war financed?
Land sales
Borrowing
What was the aim of Somerset’s sheep tax?
To deter enclosure
Created huge financial pressure on small farmers in upland areas who relied on sheep for subsistence
How did Northumberland stabilise national finances?
Ended wars against Scotland and France
Increased revenue from the church by unscrupulous methods including the melting down of church plate for bullion
Commission produced an analysis of the shortcomings in royal financial administration. Plans made for the streamlining of financial administration
