Somerset Flashcards
(13 cards)
Why did he have a good reputation?
Had a good reputation from competency proved in the Scottish wars.
Edward’s uncle and a protestant reformer.
Was seen as more friendly to the poorer folk.
How did Somerset conduct government?
Very autocratic rulership and ran the government through his own household. Overriding the Privy Council.
Overthrows the regency council.
Did Somerset face much opposition?
Was opposed by men such as Thomas Wriothesely who thought he was claiming too much power for himself but was quickly arrested.
Thomas Seymour, his brother, was a much larger threat due to his jealousy. Was given patronage and on the regency council but still kidnapped the king + killed his dog.
What were Somerset’s foreign policy aims?
Reassert Edward VI claim to the Scottish throne
Marry Edward VI to MQS
Unite Crown of England and Scotland
What were Somerset’s foreign policy consequences?
Debased the coinage to fund and raised £537,000 which worsened inflation
French invasion threat in 1549.
Initial foreign success but lost the marriage to MQS in the Battle of Pinkie where she was to marry Dauphin Francis.
What were Somerset’s religious policies?
Protestant but not very radical yet. Mostly ceremonial changes.
Vague on transubstantiation and the ‘Kurt’ (a more colourful garment) was recommended to be worn in the first book of prayer.
Did the first royal injections, book of common prayer, act of uniformity and dissolution of the chantries.
Was there tension/conflict in society
Yes. Amounted to the Kett and Western Rebellion
Reasons behind Western Rebellion
Religious
W: Dislike of the new Prayer book
Social
W+K: Class antagonism with dislike of the gentry causing conflict.
Economic
W: Sheep tax to deal with enclosures that was deeply disliked in Cornwall and Devon especially. 4x the wheat tax and 2 years of inflation caused.
Reasons behind Kett Rebellion
Social
W+K: Class antagonism with dislike of the gentry causing conflict.
K: The common people were dealing with inflation, unemployment, rising rent and declining wages.
Country Finance under Somerset
Instead of reforming the system, he debased the coinage again. Earning £537000 but inflation rose which worsened inflation from HVIII. Then had to dissolve the chantries.
Country employment under Somerset
Increasing population (3 million in 1551, 2.3 million in 1525) but not increasing employment opportunities which increased vagrancy.
Somerset created a Court of Requests for the poor against the wealthy.
1547, Vagrancy Act where church and local authorities had to aid the important poor and punish the idle poor into slavery or death.
Country Agriculture under Somerset
Bad harvest beginning 1548. Inflation, poor starving and privy council worried about disorder.
June 1548 had a proclamation enforcing all statutes against enclosure which made him a ‘friend to the poor’. A commission under Hale investigated these closures in the midlands. Hales’ Bills failed as they did not appeal to the landowning elite however. Also was of little effect.
March 1549 5% tax on personal property and sheep which was repealed by January 1550.
When was Somerset Regent?
1547-49
