Mid-Tudor Crisis

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    • What was the monarchy of England like in 1547?
      Henry had ruled England through 1540s without a chief minister- made most of the decisions for himself

      Henry had been seen as a ruthless ruler- even tyrannical in his later year

      Edward VI was only a child when Henry VIII died

      Henry had established a Regency Council to govern England until Edward was old enough
      - this was supposed to be balanced between religious conservatives and reformers
    • What were the economic and social conditions like in 1547 England?

      Henry had spent all the money he had gained from the Dissolution of the Monasteries on war and defence in the 1540s

      Henry had reduced the silver content of coins to raise money- caused inflation
      - led to food prices rising quickly in 1540s

      Population was rising- pressure on food and land

      Complaints about land being enclosed for sheep farming
    • What was rebellion and unrest like in 1547 (& building up to this) England?
      1525 Protests against levels of taxation with the Amicable Grant
      - forced Henry to abandon tax
      1536- over 40,000 rebels had risen in protest against a range of issues (eg religion and economic)
      Difficult for monarchy to prevent unrest without a standing army or police force
      Monarch relied on nobles and local gentry to put down unrest
    • What was religious change like in 1547 England?
      England had broken from papacy and monarch was now head of the Church

      England was largely Catholic in doctrine but without the Pope- most people were still Catholic too

      All religious houses had been closed down

      Bible was available in English in all churches
    • What was England's position in Europe in 1547?
      England was at war with France and Scotland when Henry VIII died
      Not a major power in Europe
      Had captured Boulogne from the French
      Alliance between Scotland and France meant England could have to fight a war on 2 fronts
      Had been fears of a Catholic crusade against England in the early 1540s
    • What was the government in England like in 1547?
      The personality of the King was v important- made all the decisions but Edward was a minor

      Royal household looked after domestic needs of king

      Age of the King gave nobles opportunity to gain power and for factional struggles

      Law and order in localities was maintained by Justices of the Peace

      Parliament was called when king needed money or new laws

      King relied on nobles for advice- they and senior churchmen made up the Privy Council
    • Acts of succession passed under HVIII?
      1st Succession Act 1533 (passed '34): Named Elizabeth as successor, and Mary a bastard

      2nd Succession Act, 1536: Declared that Elizabeth was also a bastard

      3rd Succession Act, 1543: (confirmed by HVIII in 1546) if EVI died without heirs, Mary and Eliz. could succeed, with approval of the Privy Council (illegitimacy not reversed)
    • Precedent for minority kingship?
      Henry III, 1216: (9) Civil unrest after he came of age, but mostly peaceful reign

      Richard II, 1377: (10) Disquiet after he came of age, overthrown by HIV

      Henry VI, 1422: (8 months) Most unrest occurred when he came of age - War of the Roses

      Edward V, 1483: (12) Imprisoned in the Tower, and probably murdered by RIII
    • Main problems of minority kingship?
      · Can't lead troops into war · Weaker states might look to exploit temporary weakness

      · Could spark rivalries and civil war

      · Minor unable to control factional rivalries

      · Unable to present the image of a strong ruler
    • Why did HVIII's regency council plan fail? How did Somerset rise to power?
      HVIII attempted to establish a balanced Regency Council (reformists under Seymour and conservatives under Norfolk and Gardiner)

      This was large (16 members) and impractical for ruling, since in theory each person on the Council would have been equal

      Somerset took power easily because:

      - He was the uncle of Edward VI - He had a reputation as a successful soldier during Sc. wars in 1540s

      - HVIII's death was kept secret until Somerset had possession of EVI

      - Some feared that the Regency Council was impractical, although others questioned the validity of it since it defied HVIII's wishes.
    • What factors contributed to Somerset's fall in 1549?
      - Unrest and rebellion in the countryside in summer 1549 (successfully crushed by Northumberland and others) - Personal style of Somerset's rule caused resentment and led to an anti-Somerset faction, inc. Dudley, Earl of Warwick (motivated by political ambition); Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton (motivated by dislike of religious changes; and William Paget, who disliked Somerset's style of rule)
    • What were the key events that contributed to the fall of Sst in 1549?
      · Somerset lost authority following rebellions, and retreated to Hampton Court. He summoned loyal subjects to defend him and the king (5th Oct) · Sst moved to Windsor Castle, taking EVI with him (6th Oct) · EVI fell ill and complained of the cold. He abandoned his uncle, claiming Sst had threatened riots in the streets if he was removed from power. · Sst was arrested within a week (13th Oct)
    • How did the Earl of Warwick (later, Northumberland) seize power?
      - The Council had a religiously conservative majority who did not trust Warwick

      - Warwick brought in allies and removed opponents to secure a Protestant majority

      - Rumours of a Catholic plot in early in 1550 to remove Warwick gave him the opportunity to dismiss key enemies on the Council, esp. the Earl of Arundel and Southampton

      - Warwick was made Lord President of the Council - Warwick had placed supporters in important positions around EVI
    • Why was Somerset executed in 1552?
      Once secure, N. attempted reconciliation with Sst

      Sst was released from prison, goods restored, and daughter married to N's son; he re-entered the court and Privy Council

      However Sst was associated with a plot and was executed in Jan 1552.
    • Context and dates surrounding the Devise for the Succession?
      Early in 1553, EVI's health began to decline; by summer of 1553 he was dying

      Succession Act and HVIII's will stated the throne should pass to Mary

      During Spring and Summer, a plot developed to exclude MI, known as the 'Devise for the Succession', first issued in May 1553

      'As Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth are both illegitimate... the crown shall... come firstly to the eldest son of Lady Frances Grey or, secondly, to the Lady Jane Grey's heirs male'

      Articles were drawn up and councillors and other notable people were forced to sign them so that they were committed to the scheme
    • Reasons that Edward VI may have been responsible for the plot to exclude Mary from succession?
      · EVI nearly of age, attending Privy Council and playing greater role in gov

      Northumberland astute enough to give EVI control to retain his favour

      EVI a committed Protestant - M's exclusion was religiously motivated

      The plot was poorly managed - Mary had time to escape to East Anglia - N. was too experienced to allow this

      N. had dismissed his personal army in 1552

      No propaganda campaign was launched by N. in preparation
    • Reasons why Northumberland may have been responsible for the plot to exclude Mary from Succession?

      · EVI's health declined rapidly and Northumberland naturally took control

      He had motive to give the succession to Lady Jane Grey as his son was married to her
    • Timeline for the succession?
      Devise to exclude Mary (June)

      Edward VI dies (6th July)

      Death kept secret while prominent men in London sign devise; Council order sheriffs and JPs to raise forces (6-8th July)

      Mary responded quickly: proclaimed herself queen, sent letters to Privy Council and fled to Framlingham Castle (6-10th July)

      Privy Council send Mary a letter declaring her illegitimate (9th July)

      LJG proclaimed queen against her wishes (10th July)

      Mary issued summons, proclamations and petitioned CV for support. Large numbers of English troops and nobility came to her aid

      LJG's forces defeated, and MI becomes Queen (19th July)

      Northumberland, Guildford Dudley (son) and LJG arrested (July)

      N executed, despite renouncing his Protestantism (August)
    • Precedent for female rule?
      Matilda, 12th century: civil war, many refused to accept her as queen and supported Stephen instead
    • Main perceived problems of female rule?
      Too weak to control factions

      Unable to lead an army into battle o Problem of marriage - Eng. = create strong Eng faction; foreigner would threaten English independence

      Subservience to husbands subverted their blood claim to rule
    • Philip of Spain details in potential marriage to Mary
      Supported by Paget o Son of Emperor Charles V, cousin of Mary, heir to throne of Spain.

      Spanish (Parliament was concerned that England could become a colony of powerful Spanish Empire. Charles V certainly wanted to use England in his own wars against France)

      Staunchly Catholic

      Politically experienced

      Habsburg alliance could strengthen trade with Netherlands, GB's main trading partner
    • Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon- details in relation to marriage to Mary

      Supported by Gardiner

      Great Grandson of Edward IV

      English (His Yorkist roots could resurrect the Wars of the Roses by creating a powerful alternative monarch)

      Catholic, although with rumoured Protestant tendencies

      Politically naïve

      More popular with the English
    • Who was opposed to Mary's marriage?
      Mary announced her intention to the Council in Oct 1553 and overruled objections and concerns

      The House of Commons petitioned Mary, but she ignored it

      Rebellion was raised by Wyatt, Croft and Carew - all of whom held offices under HVIII and EVI.
    • What were the details of the Wyatt plot?
      Rebels planned to marry Elizabeth to Courtney o Scheme to instigate four-pronged rising (Devon, Leicestershire, Welsh borders and Kent) was disclosed to Gardiner, forcing Wyatt to raise a rebel army (3000 strong) in winter

      A royal force was sent under the Duke of Norfolk to confront the rebels, but instead they deserted and joined with the rebels

      Wyatt's cautious march on London gave the gov. time to prepare defences

      Mary defied her Privy C's advice and remained in London

      Rebels halted at London Bridge, then at the Tower and forced to cross Kingston. Rebels finally stopped at Ludgate and Wyatt surrendered

      Fewer than 100 commoners were executed

      Wyatt, LJG and her husband were executed; Croft was imprisoned; Carew fled to Fr.; Elizabeth and Courtenay were interrogated and imprisoned, but later released
    • How much did Mary's marriage undermine her position as monarch?
      - Marriage took place 12 months into her 5 year reign - Philip spent much of his time away from England
    • Evidence that the Marian government was effective/ stable
      - Council ultimately supported M's marriage

      - Full Council rarely met, usually a small group (similar size under Northumberland)

      - Committees established in 1554 which excluded 'casual' councillors

      - Inner Council established in 1555

      - Philip's departure in 1555 and death of Gardiner allowed Paget to dominate and establish a conciliar form of government

      - Council usually able to agree

      - Factions were normal in Tudor times

      - Elizabeth succeeded unopposed
    • Evidence of ineffectiveness/instability in the Marian govt
      - Council divided over M's marriage

      - Council was very large, and therefore inefficient

      - Clashes and rivalry between Gardiner and Paget until 1555

      - Philip was rarely in Eng, and MI was unable to produce an heir

      - MI unable to persuade Eliz to convert to Catholicism
    • Evidence that there was a mid-tudor crisis?
      Sst was only able to seize power by manipulating Henry's will

      The nature of government changed under Sst so that it was run through his household

      1549 rebellions resulted in political elite abandoning their support of the government

      Sst's overthrow in 1549 created instability

      Northumberland took power after factional struggle

      MI had to raise forces to wrestle the throne from LJG

      Wyatt nearly toppled MI.
    • Evidence that there was not a mid-tudor crisis?
      The legitimate monarch always triumphed

      Crown passed peacefully from HVIII to EVI, and from MI to EI

      Gov survived factional struggles

      HVIII's will was upheld

      Sst's attempted coup was short-lived

      LJG was only queen for 9 days

      The ruling elite consistently supported the rightful monarch
    • Attitudes to reform of the Church under Somerset in the immediate govt circle?
      Sst- moderate Prot and favoured a cautious approach towards reforms
      - exchange letters with Calvin but little evidence of this influencing him in power

      Reformers were majority in Privy council

      Little agreement amongst bishops- majority supported Royal Supremacy and separation with Rome

      9 bishops led by Archbishop Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley supported reform

      10 bishops led by Stephen Gardiner and Edmund Bonner opposed change

      8 bishops were undecided
    • Attitudes to reform of the Church under Somerset outside the immediate govt circle?
      Majority of ruling elites were in favour to some measure of religious reform

      Lower clergy generally opposed

      Majority of population were very conservative in their outlook

      East Anglia- considerable support for religious reform (large settlement of Prot refugees)

      London and larger towns- clergy were better educated and demanded more rapid and radical religious change
    • Details of the Book of Homilies and Royal Injuctions
      June 1547
      Provided every clergy with model sermons.

      Homilies and Erasmus' Paraphrases placed in every church

      Clergy ordered to conduct services in English;should preach every Sunday; ensure an English Bible in their church.

      Use of rosary beads condemned, abolition of parish processions and bell ringing, candles prohibited except at the altar before the sacrament.

      Cranmer handpicked the commissioners to carry this out.

      By Sept 47 a violent campaign of iconoclasm had been unleashed.
    • Details of the dissolution of the chantries
      November 1547
      Chantries were places for masses for the souls of the dead.
      - Read as an attack on superstition and purgatory.

      Had a theological justification, but had a financial motive too: to raise money for the Scottish war - closure yielded £610,000 (c.20% of monastic closures, £187M in today's money).

      2500 priests were affected but 2000 given secular benefices or regular pensions.
    • Details of the images being removed under Sst
      February 1548
      Council ordered destruction of all images and stained-glass windows depicting saints, together with removal of wall paintings.
    • Details of orders being sent out to attack traditional Catholic practices?
      February 1548
      Candlemas (celebration of purification of Virgin Mary) abolished as part of attack on veneration of Mary.

      Ash Wednesday, first day of Lent, traditionally marked by sprinkling of ashes on heads - practice banned.

      Lent - traditional habits of fasting discouraged.

      Palm Sunday commemorating Christ's entry to Jerusalem traditionally celebrated by carrying of palms - practice banned.

      Creeping to the Cross on Good Friday to commemorate Christ's agony in dragging the cross to Calvary - practice banned.
    • Details of the Repeal of the Treason Act? Impact? Government response?
      1547

      Meant that radicals now free to discuss and demand more radical reforms as restrictions were lifted.

      60 editions of an English Bible were printed in the reign and between 1547 and 1549 ¾ of all books published were religious, and ½ of those Protestant.

      Evangelicals used printing to their advantage.

      Unleashed even more radical views and unrest; iconoclastic attacked on images and altars; pamphlets attacking mass

      Government response: Series of proclamations issued btw Jan-Apr 1548 to restore order and limit those who could preach. Second proclamation in Sept banned all preaching
    • Details of the 1st Common Prayer Book?
      December 1548
      Very ambigious 'eat the flesh'- seemed to support transubstantiation
    • Details of the 1st Act of Uniformity
      January 1549
      Ordered the clergy to use a number of Protestant practices, which had not previously been enforced:

      The First CPB became law

      Sacraments now consisted of just communion, baptism, confirmation, marriage and burial

      Clergy allowed to marry

      Singing masses for the souls of the dead was not approved

      Holy communion, matins and evensong were to be in English

      The laity could receive both bread and wine at communion

      Fast days remained

      It neither condemned nor upheld the belief in purgatory

      Worship of saints was not banned, only discouraged
    • Analysis of the 1st Common Prayer Book and 1st Act of Uniformity?
      Drawn up by Cranmer

      Book was conservative- conciliatory measure due to religious tensions provoked since 1547

      Decisive break from medieval Catholicism: mass in English rather than Latin, dismantled traditional cycle of feast days

      Cranmer did not yet deny transubstantiation

      Prot= participation of the congregation in prayer with 1st introduction of English Prayer Book

      Gardiner interpreted it in a Catholic way (prominent Catholic)

      Attempt not to upset Charles V
    • How successful were Sst's reforms?
      The Gov hoped these changes would satisfy at least moderate reformers

      The clergy were forced to use the new service and could be fined or imprisoned for refusal

      The laity were not punished for not attending church

      There was opposition to reform at grass roots level, with reforms breaking out in Devon, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire (1549).

      Government continued with a policy of educating the laity in the new religion:

      Bishops instructed to carry out visitations to test whether the laity knew the Ten Commandments, or the Lord's Prayer.
      - Bishop Hooper later discovered in his own diocese of Gloucester that out of the 311 clergy, 10 could not recite the Lord's Prayer and 171 did not know the Ten Commandments
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