Edward VI Crisis of Royal Authority

• What evidence is there that enclosure caused the Kett Rebellion?

  - There had been anti enclosure riots in Attleborough and Wymondham. In July 1549 rioters in Wymondham pulled down fences put up by John Flowerdew

  - Rebels attacked the hedges of Robert Kett who accepted them and became their leader

  - Enclosure benefited the ruling classes at the expense of the poor - the rebels were angry with the ruling class - when they seized Norwhich in August 1549 it was the houses of the wealthy that received most of the damage, Lord Sheffield a local nobleman was murdered
• What evidence is there that religion caused the Kett Rebellion?

  It didn't:

  - Norfolk rebels were largely Protestant and brought in ministers who would use the new prayer book at their camp in Mousehold Heath

  - The rebels didn't want to usurp Edward and even cried 'God save King Edward'
• What evidence is there that socioeconomic issues caused the Kett Rebellion?

  - Norwhich was the centre of the textile trade the collapse of that industry in the late 1540s pushed many into unemployment

  - There was a high level of social inequality with just 6% of the population owning 60% of the wealth
• What evidence is there that the Kett rebellion was a significant threat?

  - When the rebels atacked Norwhich there was an indiscriminate massacre where the rebels fought merceneries sent to defeat them and won

  - Mousehold camp numbered 16,000

  - A further 1000 mercenaries and 12,000 English levies had to be called to supress the rebels
• What evidence is there that the Kett rebellion was NOT a significant threat?

  - The rebels thought their destruction of enclosures was supported by the government due to Somerset's commissions

  - The rebels did not want to usurp Edward and even cried 'God save King Edward' when the Royal herald came to Kett's camp in Norwhich
• What evidence is there that the religion caused the Western Rebellion?

  - Began with the murder of William Body in Heddleston while he was supervising the destruction of images there

  - In Devon people were provoked into rebellion by the priest's use of the new Prayer Book on Whitsunday

  - The rebels in Sampford Courtenay persuaded a priest to deliver a traditional Catholic mass before moving to join forces from Cornwall

  - Rebel demands included reinstating the Act of 6 Articles and the use of Latin prayers and prayers for the dead
• What evidence is there that the Western Rebellion was a threat?

  - Was sparked by the murder of William Body in the parish of St Keverne where a mob led by a priest attacked and killed him

  - The petition was drawn up by Arendell - a major local landowner

  - Arundell and his rebels layed siege on Exeter - the largest city in the area
• What evidence is there that the Western Rebellion was NOT a threat?

  - Somerset was slow to respond - only sent troops after 7 weeks

  - The siege lasted 6 weeks showing the rebels did not have complete support even in the West

  - Lord Russel arrived with an army of 8,000 German mercenaries who killed over 4,000 rebels in a general massacre
• What other evidence is there of socioeconomic issues under Edward?

  • Between 1525 - 1551 England's population rose from 2.3 to 3 mil
  • 6 failed harvests and the impacts of the dissolution of the monastries increased the strain on poor families
  • By 1546, prices were 150% higher than they had been in 1508
  • Prices doubled between 1547 - 1549
  • In 1551 citizens of London wrote an open letter to Edward recounting how “it was obvious to all men that beggars and thieves were everywhere”
  • In 1553, peasants in Newbury attacked and hurled verbal abuse at “rich churles”
• What evidence is there that socioeconomic issues caused the Western Rebellion?

  • Cornish rebels attacked and robbed the gentry at St Michael’s Mount and at Bodmin cried ‘Kill the Gentlemen’
  • Final rebel demands were more religion based but these were drawn up by clergy, the original where more of the rebels had a say included opposition to the 1549 Sheep Tax
  • Lord Russel, leader of the royal army observed that many landlords in the West Country had abandoned the concept of ‘good lordship’ and raised rents excessively rather than caring for the poor
• How did Edward's age cause a crisis?

  • There was concern that he would be unable to lead troops into battle, and he could have been exploited by faction, or by other countries during international negotiations
  • Was easily made a victim of Somerset's coup - Somerset took him to Windsor Castle - "methinks I am in prison"
• How did Edward's age not a cause of crisis?

  • By late 1551, Edward began attending meetings of the Privy Council. He wrote various papers, which indicated his interest in policy making and he even began to set some agendas
  • Northumberland decreased the age Edward would come of age from 18 to 16
  • In 1553, the pattern of a new coin showed the King on horseback, no longer a child. Demonstrating his evolving image as a maturing, capable, young man
• How did Somerset undermine royal authority?

  • Obtained sole custody of the dry stamp
  • Overused proclamations to pass laws without consulting parliament - issued over 77
  • By passed the Privy Council setting up his own ‘New Council’ at Somerset House full of his own supporters
  • His methods aroused intense opposition and at his downfall 19 of the Privy Council accused him of ‘malice and evil government… pride, covetousness and extreme ambition’
  • Failed coup in October 1549 that ultimately led to his fall
• How did Northumberland undermine royal authority?

  • Increased the size of the Council to 33 people so that he could bring in his own supporters e.g. Sir John Gates
  • Made himself Lord Protector which gave him power to fix agendas, meetings, and bar councillors. He assumed the king’s power to appoint new councillors
  • Chose people with military experience so he could rely on them for support if needed
• How did Northumberland actually respect royal authority?

  • By late 1551 Edward had been allowed to start attending Privy Council meetings
  • Northumberland decreased the age Edward would come of age from 18 to 16
  • Despite being a Catholic, Northumberland pursued Edward's staunchly Protestant reforms e.g. submitting the 42 Articles which aimed to confirm Protestantism in every aspect of Church doctrine although it was never passed as Edward died