Edward's Accession, Northumberland and Somerset

• Edward VI rose to the throne at 9 years old after Henry VIII's death
• The Regency council was put in place to run the country until Edward VI was old enough to rule
• Edward inherited a troubled kingdom with religious divisions, ruined finances, compromised security, and debased coinage
• Access to the king equaled power, with early influences dominated by members of the privy council
• The Regency Council set up by Henry VIII had 16 members, with decisions made by majority vote
• Edward Seymour quickly took over the weak council and became the Lord Protector, rewarding himself and supporters with new titles
• Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, faced factional rivalries, poor foreign policy, and handling of rebellions, leading to his removal from power
• John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, took over after Somerset's removal, consolidating control and promoting assertive Protestantism
• Somerset's foreign policy focused on Scotland and faced failures, while Northumberland reduced foreign policy expenditure and abandoned confrontational approaches
• Northumberland organized the Devyse with Edward VI to exclude Mary and Elizabeth from the succession line in favor of Lady Jane Grey
• Lady Jane Grey was briefly placed on the throne by Northumberland's efforts before Edward VI's death