edward vi

• Edward was well educated in Latin and English. he rarely saw henry whilst growing up but was spoilt when he did. he was thought of as a promising King
• problems when somerset became Protectorate

  debasement of the coinage

  inflation

  high taxation

  high mortality rate

  little money

  hostile foreign policy

  high unemployment
• Somerset's personal views were Protestant but he was cautious due to sensitivity around religious reform. even bishops were divided on whether or not to support more reforms
• the treason act repealed six articles act as well as the heresy, treason and censorship laws introduced at the end of Henry's reign
• 1549 act of uniformity imposed a single standard of worship across England and ended confusion that had been growing since 1534

  • worship was to be in English
  • congregations were to be offered bread and wine

  but priests still dressed and behaved the same as before
• henry had arranged a marriage between Edward and Mary queen of Scots. but this was unpopular in Scotland which meant it was hard for Somerset to deal with
• Somerset tried to intervene in Scotland through a joint naval and land invasion. the Scottish army was large but unprepared and ill-equipped compared to the English. the Scottish were defeated at the Battle of Pinkie. England gained control over the borders but little else

  It cost £600,000 but actually cemented France and Scotland's alliance as Mary was moved to France to marry their heir
• Somerset's foreign policy is often criticised because he was not decisive in his leadership- such as removing troops from Scotland to go to the south to protect from France. he was however put in a difficult decision- militarily and diplomatically
• somerset's main economic aim was to help those who suffered because of enclosure - caused him to be known as the 'Good Duke'. he investigated the legality of enclosures
• response to investigation into enclosure:

  The Gentry were unhappy because they would lose money as they relied on enclosure for sheep farming.

  the Poor hoped that the Government was finally supporting them (but this didn't last)
• inflation increased during the 16th century. Caused price rises in bread, cheese and meat. this caused economic and social problems even when there was a good harvest (also population increases). so this led to rebellions across the country in 1549
• Edward Seymour the Earl of Hertford was elected as Protector on 31st Jan. made himself the duke of somerset

  he promoted his closest men, granted himself near-sovereign powers and overthrew Henry's will
• somerset's government was made up of friends which undermined the role of the council. he relied on people such as william cecil and sir michael stanhope who weren't privy council members
• somerset's downfall:

  failed to deal effectively with the Kett's rebellion- he reacted slowly and did almost noting

  he was arrested in 1549 but released as he hadn't actually committed any crimes. but rumours began to circulate that he was trying to regain control

  he was arrested for treason and executed in january 1552
• john dudley, duke of northumberland became Lord President after Somerset's downfall. he worked to unite rather than divide the council. he was more capable and brought political and economic stability to england as well as having a close relationship with Edward
• western rebellion / Prayer Book rebellion 1549

  leaders of the revolt began to demand the restoration of Catholicism including masses in Latin

  rebels gathered in Crediton where they were met by an unsympathetic land owner. the rebels brought the south-west to a standstill and waited for the government to come to them. somerset underestimated the situation.

  by the time the rebels gained control around exeter, the government were facing problems in the east
• ketts rebellion 1549

  widespread social and economic problems meant that people thought the government ministers were profiteering from the situation

  they wanted inadequate clergy to be dismissed. But the rebellion wasn't just made up of Protestants, they were also upset over enclosure

  kett agreed to end enclosure of his land and lead the rebels.

  they set up a camp near norwich and were peaceful
• humanism under edward

  fairly popular due to increased interest in reforms. most popular with the educated elite.

  became linked to protestantism but was different

  wanted educational development
• Northumberland was less cautious in his religious reforms and made England more Protestant.
• 1552 - Second act of uniformity. became an offence to not attend CofE services
• 1552 treason act made it an offence to question royal supremacy or the church's beliefs
• 1552 prayer book removed all traces of catholicism
• Northumberland attacked church wealth to aid the Government's finances. all gold and silver was to be removed but the process had only just began when edward died
• despite fully protestant doctrines, the hierarchy and government of the church saw less changes
• Northumberland's foreign policy:

  allied to France through the Treaty of Boulogne -included a marriage alliance between Edward and Elizabeth. also gave Boulogne up

  bad relations with Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

  sacrificed relations with Scotland to focus on domestic problems
• Northumberland's economy:

  revalued the silver content of coins

  increased revenue through increasing customs rates

  but- pressure on food supplies, bad harvests caused grain prices to increase which caused social unrest
• Edward died in July 1553, aged 15. it is assumed that he died of TB which had been developing since January.

  he had previously caught and survived both measles and small pox so they thought that he was of quite good health
• the 'Devise for the Succession'

  Northumberland and Edward planned for Lady Jane Grey to become Queen because of her claim and Protestant beliefs. This would have been against Henry's will and so Mary was a more popular successor.
• lady jane grey was proclaimed queen on the 10th July

  Mary gathered support and began to march towards London- supported by Catholics and those who wanted lawful succession.

  The Privy Council abandoned Jane and she was arrested

  Mary proclaimed queen on 19th July