The stability of the monarchy

Question 1

When did Henry VIII die?

Answer 1

28th January 1547

Question 2

When did the Regency Council establish Somerset as Lord Protector?

Answer 2

31st January 1547

Question 3

When did Henry VIII issue the Third Succession Act?

Answer 3

1543

Question 4

What did the Third Succession Act confirm?

Answer 4

If Edward died without heirs, the throne passes to Mary. If Mary died without heirs, then the throne passes to Elizabeth.

Question 5

What did the Third Succession Act reverse?

Answer 5

Earlier succession acts which had excluded Mary and Elizabeth from the succession. Their illegitimacy was not reversed.

Question 6

Why was the Third Succession Act passed?

Answer 6

Henry VIII’s health was declining and knew Edward would come to the throne as a minor. He wanted to avoid disputes and ensure a peaceful succession.

Question 7

How was Henry VIII’s concern about political instability apparent?

Answer 7

He tried to establish a Regency Council balanced between reformists, under Seymour, and ‘Catholics’ under Norfolk and Gardiner.

Question 8

What kind of council did Henry VIII leave when he died?

Answer 8

Reformist-dominated Regency Council.

Question 9

A positive example of a minor on the throne?

Answer 9

Henry III came to the throne aged 9 in 1216. In his minority, he ended the unrest that resulted in Magna Carta and ruled the country well.

Question 10

A negative example of a minor on the throne?

Answer 10

Edward V succeeded to the throne ages 12 in 1483. He was imprisoned in the tower and probably murdered on the orders of his uncle.

Question 11

What were peoples worries with Edward being a minor?

Answer 11

Couldn’t lead troops into war, other states might exploit potential weakness of a minor on the throne, fear of return to civil war.

Question 12

What made Edward being a minor more likely to be problematic?

Answer 12

Factional struggles occurring at the same time - a minor would not be able to control them.

Question 13

What was wrong with Edwards image?

Answer 13

Couldn’t be portrayed as powerful and militarily adept (coins were used in this way for Henry VIII).

Question 14

What is important to remember about Edwards health?

Answer 14

He was not sickly child and he was expected to reach adulthood, marry and have an heir.

Question 15

Henry wanted a Regency Council but how was Somerset’s assumption of power?

Answer 15

Natural and unsurprising.

Question 16

Why was Somerset’s assumption of power natural and unsurprising?

Answer 16

He was uncle to the king and he had built up a reputation as a successful solider in Henry’s wars in Scotland.

Question 17

Why was Somerset’s accession smooth?

Answer 17

Henry’s death was kept quite until Somerset had possession of Edward. The Regency Council of 16 were unlikely to reach decisions and this could lead to factional unrest.

Question 18

Did some people question Somerset’s legality? Why?

Answer 18

Yes, it went against Henry’s wishes. This added to the potential for instability as other people may challenge Somerset’s dominance.