Edward VI;Somerset and Northumberland

    Cards (30)

    • Edward VI
      Henry VIII's son, minor at ascension
    • Edward VI inherited deep financial problems
    • Henry VIII's total expenses 1544-1547 came to £2.1 million, only raised £650,000 in subsidies and £270,000 in forced loans
    • Debasement of coinage from 1544 raised £361,000 in Henry VIII's reign, increased to £1.27 million in Edward's reign
    • Debt owed domestically and abroad, for example £100,000 owed to the Antwerp market
    • 1532-1540, 883 people arrested for treason, of which 308 were executed
    • Regency Council
      Balanced between Protestants and Conservatives
    • Regency Council quickly delegated power to Somerset, balanced regency did not last long
    • Somerset was ambitious for personal power and began to put at odds his fellow councillors
    • Somerset's inability to deal effectively with the rebellions of 1549 was the final straw for his fellow councillors, who removed him in a palace coup
    • John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland
      Emerged as the new leader after the power struggle, more energetic and capable than Somerset, put down the rebellions and restored law and order
    • Northumberland ruled the country as Lord President for the remainder of Edward VI's reign, adopted a pragmatic approach and brought political and economic stability
    • Northumberland established a strong relationship with the young king Edward VI, whom he encouraged to take an active interest in the business of government
    • Edward VI
      Henry VII's successor, nine-year-old Prince Edward, son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour
    • Edward VI's succession was a problem because he was too young to rule, and periods of minority government were often of potential challenge and political unrest
    • The fate of the 12-year-old Edward V must have weighed heavily on Henry VIII's mind, as he had been entrusted into the care of his uncle, Richard Duke of Gloucester, who was empowered to govern the kingdom as Lord Protector
    • Richard Duke of Gloucester's usurpation of the throne after just six weeks in the role provided a lesson for future generations
    • Regency Council
      Led by Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, to govern the kingdom during Edward VI's minority
    • Henry VII had intended for Seymour to lead but not dominate the Regency Council, which was to govern with the aid of a council of ministers specifically named by Henry VII
    • Seymour was ambitious for personal power and he began to plot against his fellow councillors, splitting and then gaining control of the divided Council
    • Seymour was promoted to Duke of Somerset by his nephew Edward VI, and ruled the country for two years until 1549
    • Somerset's arrogance and lack of ability led to the political situation deteriorating, and his failure to deal effectively with the rebellions of 1549 was the final straw for his fellow councillors, who removed him in a palace coup
    • John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland

      Emerged as the new leader after the power struggle following Somerset's removal
    • Northumberland was more energetic and capable a leader than Seymour, and he put down the rebellions and restored law and order
    • Northumberland was promoted to Duke of Northumberland by the king, and took the more consensual title of Lord President of the Council, suggesting he was prepared to acknowledge and work with council members
    • Northumberland ruled the country as Lord President for the remainder of Edward VI's reign, adopting a pragmatic approach and bringing a measure of political and economic stability to the kingdom
    • Northumberland established a strong relationship with the young king, whom he encouraged to take an active interest in the business of government
    • Somerset
      Edward Seymour, brother of Jane Seymour, whose political rise dates from her marriage to Henry VIII in 1536
    • Somerset's rise to power
      1. Became a member of the Privy Council in 1537
      2. Became the Earl of Hertford after the birth of Edward VI
      3. Had experience of diplomacy and the battlefield in Scotland and France in the 1540s
      4. Elected as Protector and ruled with virtual royal authority after Henry VIII's death
      5. Became the Duke of Somerset in 1547
      6. Dismissed from offices and imprisoned in 1549
      7. Released and returned to the Privy Council in 1550
      8. Tried and executed for treason in 1552
    • Northumberland's rise to power

      1. Became Viscount Lisle in 1542
      2. Earned military reputation in land and sea battles against the Scots and French in the 1540s
      3. Became the Earl of Warwick and Lord Great Chamberlain in 1547
      4. Crushed Kett's rebellion in 1549
      5. Planned Somerset's removal in 1549
      6. Became Lord President of the Council in 1550
      7. Became Duke of Northumberland in 1551
      8. Attempted to change the succession to his own advantage in 1555
      9. Tried and executed in 1555