Stability of the monarchy

• In 1543 Henry VIII issued the Third Succession Act which stated the throne went to Edward, then Mary, then Elizabeth. This reversed earlier Succession Acts which had excluded Mary and Elizabeth.
• Henry attempted to establish a balanced Regency Council between ‘reformists’ under Seymour and ‘Catholics’ under Norfolk and Gardiner. This failed and he left a reformist-dominated council.
• Examples of minor rule in England:

  • Henry III came to the throne age 9 in 1216 - civil war after he came of age but unrest from Magna Carta was resolved during his minority
  • Richard II came to the throne age 10 in 1377 - overthrown by Henry Lancaster in 1399 but again this was due to Richard’s rule after he came of age
  • Henry VI at 8 months in 1422 - later War of Roses but stable during regency
  • Edward V aged 12 in 1483 - imprisoned in Tower and probably murdered by uncle Richard III
• Concerns about minority rule:

  • couldn’t lead troops into war
  • fear that England would return to civil war like War of the Roses
  • couldn‘t control factions
  • couldn’t convey a strong image
• Reasons for Somerset assuming power:

  • uncle of the king
  • powerful reputation as a successful soldier during Henry’s war in Scotland
  • smooth transition as Henry’s death kept quiet until Somerset had possession of Edward
• Henry had wanted a Regency Council to rule for Edward, but some argued against a Council of 16 where every member had an equal voice as they were unlikely to agree on decisions and it may encourage factional unrest.
• Some questioned the legality of Somerset’s power as it went against Henry’s wishes.
• Lord Protector Somerset used his position to increase his personal wealth and power, resulting in the formation of an anti-Somerset faction.
• The anti-Somerset faction had little in common apart from a dislike for Somerset and his policies. Wriothesley opposed the religious changes, Warwick May have been wanting to advance his own power and Paget was concerned his policy towards the poor was resulting in a breakdown of law and order.
• The events of summer 1549 gave the anti-Somerset faction opportunity to act.
• Somerset retreated to Windsor castle on 6 October, taking Edward with him. Edward fell ill and complained of the cold surroundings. Edward complained that he was a prisoner, leading to Somerset’s removal within the week.
• Following Somerset’s fall, Northumberland formed a Protestant majority in the Council but in early December there were rumours of a Catholic plot using the argument that Northumberland was a friend of Somerset. Northumberland declared that anyone who attacked Somerset attacked him also. By January 1550 Northumberland was Lord President.
• To gain power, Northumberland was forced to ally with religious radicals which would later impact religious policy.
• Once Northumberland was secure, he attempted to reconcile with Somerset who was released from jail, his daughter married Northumberland’s son and he was restored to the Council. However Somerset continued to plot and was finally executed.
• Evidence Edward drove the Devise for Succession:

  • edward was playing a greater role in government, attending Council meetings and setting agendas
  • Northumberland recognised his skills and involved him in government
  • Edward’s Protestantism
• The Devise for the Succession was first issued in May 1553.
• In early June, the Devise was altered to make Jane the heir as there was no time for the appearance of a male heir. Councillors and notable people were forced to sign.
• Northumberland’s son, Guildford Dudley, was married to Jane, meaning the Devise could have been a plot by Northumberland to grab more power.
• Evidence Northumberland wasn’t behind the 1553 Devise:

  • it was poorly managed - Northumberland was an experienced soldier who would have ensured he had sufficient forces, but he dismissed his force in 1552
  • he would have ensured Mary was captured, instead she escaped to East Anglia
  • he would have launched a propaganda campaign to prepare the nation
• Edward died on the 6 July 1553 but his death was kept a secret for two days so that prominent men in London could be forced to sign the devise and the council could order sheriffs of nearby counties to raise forces.