Edward S

• The establishment of the Regency Council


  Henry’s concern about political stability was seen in his establishment of a Regency Council, which was balanced between the reformists and the catholics.
• Limitations to the balance of the Regency Council

  • Denny and Paget left plenty of space in the King’s will for changes
  • Gardiner had been removed and Norfolk was in the tower
  • These changes did not even require Henry’s signature as Denny controlled the dry stamp
  • Moreover, Henry’s death was kept secret for a few days so the reformist were able to consolidate their position and Somerset could establish himself and exercise virtual royal power
• The Problems of a minor sovereign

  • He would be unable to lead troops in battle
  • makes England appear vulnerable
  • potential return to civil war
  • he would be unable to control factional struggle
• The Emergence of Somerset

  • Somerset’s assumption of power was unsurprising given that he was Edward’s uncle and had built up a reputation as a successful soldier during the campaigns against Scotland in the 1540s. The transfer of Power to him was smooth, however, some questioned the legality of Somerset’s power because it went against Henry’s wishes.
• What was the Somerset’s position

  Lord Protector
• Somerset's ascension to power as Lord Protector in 1547 was against the explicit wishes of Henry VIII because it bypassed the structure of the Regency Council that Henry had carefully designed in his will. Henry intended the council to act collectively, not independentl.
• The Last years of Henry VIII’s reign has seen factional struggle , but this appeared to have ended with the triumph of Somerset becoming Lord Protector, defeating Henry’s plan for a balanced regency council. However, although the reformists dominated government, the events of summer of 1549 gave the catholic faction an opportunity to reassert itself
• The impact of the 1549 Unrest

  • although the unrest in the countryside was put down, the ruling elite were concerned by the disorder, particularity as some of the rebels complaints were against them
  • Alongside this, there was disquiet within the governing circle about the personal nature of Somerset’s style of government
  • This lead to the formation of the Anti-Somerset faction
• Who belonged to the Anti-Somerset faction

  • Paget
  • Warwick
  • Wriothesley
• Anti-Somerset Faction

  • The group that was formed had little in common except a dislike for Somerset. It included such diverse figures such as Page, Warwick, and Wriothesley.
  • Wriothesley was opposed to Somerset’s religious policy
  • Warwick may have seen this as an opportunity to advance his own power
  • Paget was concerned about Somerset ignoring his own advice
• Somerset’s loss of power

  • As Somerset’s hold on power declined, he retreated to Hampton court with Edward
  • He summoned loyal subjects there to defend him, and the next day moved to Windsor
  • Edward claimed he was a prisoner and abandoned Somerset
  • Edward states somerset had threatened riots if he was removed from power, although he denied this, he could not contradict the king, and within a week was removed |
• The Triumph of Warwick (Northumberland)

  • After the fall of Somerset the councils was dominated by religious conservatives
  • he brought in his own protestant allies so that he had a majority
  • he was declared Lord President of the Council
  • But in order to succeed he had been forced to ally with more religiously radical members, which had an impact on religious developments
• Despite the factional struggle lasting from October 1549 until early 1550, the administration of the country continued to function and did not impact on the efficiency of the government. The crisis in October was short lived and did not threaten the monarchy
• The execution of Somerset

  • Somerset was released from jail and he was restored to court and the Privy Council
  • However, he continued to plot to recover his position
  • This caused the Privy council to execute him on charges of treason
• How old was Edward when he was crowned

  9
• When Edward died, he was only 4 months away from being king in his own right
• Henry VI


  • Ascended to the throne at 9 months
  • Faction had developed
  • England experiences the worst of the Wars of the Roses during his reign
• The Chronicle 


  • It was a diary that Edward started at the age of 12 and completed almost daily until his death
  • it shows him to be an able young monarch, who was well informed about government business
  • The entries are concise, impersonal and factual
  • However, the problem with drawing conclusions about Edward’s character form his chronicle it that the purpose and audience is unclear
• Catherine Parr, a radical protestant, offered the only maternal affection Edward had known, he called her mother
• Edwards Education

  • His formal education likely ended when he was 14
  • He received a humanist education from Richard Coxe, a strong protestant
• The Book of Martyrs

  • Protestant propaganda work
  • written by John Foxe
  • celebrated Edwards brief role in establishing protestantism
• Lord protectors

  1. Seymour (Hertford, Somserset)
  2. Dudley (Warwick, Northumberland)
• When did Somerset rule as Lord Protector

  January 1547 - October 1549
• Northumberland

  • In February 1550, Northumberland was appointed Lord President of the Council.
  • He ruled until Mary’s ascension
• Somerset

  • Ruled by using the dry stamp and proclamations
  • bypassed Henry’s wishes for a balances regency council by appointing himself Lord Protector
  • He was not based at court, but his expensive residence - Somerset House
  • He had, in effect, assumed autocratic control of the Government and Was alienating other members of the court
• Edward‘s early influence

  • He condemned Somerset age 12, stating he had threatened to create riots if he was overthrown
  • Somerset’s denial was worthless, he could not contradict the king
• Edward 1551-1552

  • Attended Privy Council meetings regularly and set some agendas
  • In recognition of his advanced performance, the Council announced in 1552 that he would reach his majority age at 16 rather than 18
• Northumberland’s title, Lord President of the Council, showed recognition of the diminished role of the regent
• What did Northumberland limit Edward’s control over

  foreign policy
• Northumberland

  • Still in overall control and places limits on Edwards involvement
  • He placed his own men around the king and packed the Privy Council with his own supporters
• Somerset’s rise and fall from power

  • Brother to Jane Seymour
  • experience of diplomacy and the Battlefield in Scotland and France
  • After Henry’s death, Privy council elected somerset as protector, giving him sovereign authority
  • October 1549; dismissed from his offices and imprisoned
  • April 1550; released and returned to the privy council
  • January 1552; Tried and executed
• Northumberland’s rise and fall from power

  • Born John Dudley (son of Edmund Dudley)
  • military reputation
  • crushed Kett’s rebellion
  • he became Lord President of the Council
  • 1553 - attempted to change the succession to his own advantage
  • August 1553 - tried and executed
• how many members were in Henry’s balanced regency council

  16
• Somerset’s ascension to power

  • despite Henry’s wished for a balanced regency council, Gardiner’s expulsion and Norfolk’s arrest unbalanced the Privy Council in favour of the protestants
  • Henry’s plan to have his will obeyed was never likely to succeed, as the council was designed to function with a Cheif executive
  • He had allowed for a majority to ’devise and ordain‘, which led to Somerset’s appointment,
  • He was the obvious choice due to his military history and stance as Edward’s uncle
• What were Northumberland‘s grievances towards Somerset

  • Poor leadership
  • Mishandling foreign policy
  • Favouritism
  • Social policy
  • Religious policy
• What was Somerset House referred to as by the Imperial ambassador

  The Protector’s Palace
• The failed campaign in Scotland and and the declaration of war by France in August 1549 disappointed a council who saw foreign policy as a very important issue
• Somerset added £5,000 to an already substantial income
• Who were the catholics in the council alienated by Somerset’s religious policy

  • Earl of Arundel
  • Earl of Southampton
• The Coup timeline - 1549 (september October)

  • September; mobilisation of troops of the conservatives, Somerset made an unsuccessful appeal for the support of Lord Russel’s army, which was still together after the Western Rebellion
  • October; Somerset had the moved to Hampton Court, and then to Windsor Castle. Conservatives Accused him of kidnapping the king. Somerset surrendered and was then imprisoned