problems caused by Edward being a minor

• in 1543 Henry passed the third act of succession confirming if Edward dies with no heir the throne goes to Mary>Elizabeth. This reversed earlier succession acts, although illegitimacy not reversed.
• Henry was concerned with political stability so despite not wanting a regency council tried to establish a balance between the 'reformists' of Gardiner and Norfolk. In Henry's last years it left him with a reformists-dominated council
• Latimer wrote 'where the king is a child' showing concern of minor.
• When Henry 3 came on the throne aged 9, civil war once he came of age.
• Edward would not be able to lead troops to war= exploitation and fear of war
• Edward would be unable to control factional struggle
• concerns on image of king as would want to portray himself as powerful; coin in 1553 showed him horseback not a child
• Transfer of power to Somerset was smooth and expected; did not prevent question of legality as went against Henry' wishes.
• Henry saw Edward very infrequently
• Very serious and studious , NOT a very sickly child
• Struck by chest infection in 1553 and developed fatal sepyicaemia