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Edward VI - Somerset and Northumberland (Duke of Somerset (Counted on…
Edward VI - Somerset and Northumberland
Edward VI
Inherited several problems
Division on religious grounds
Crown finances ruined because of wars with France and Scotland
Coinage debased to pay for wars = inflation
VIII sold off monastic lands = compromised security
Regency Council
VIII set up to rule during Edward's minority - 16 members, intended for Somerset to lead but NOT dominate
Protestants: Hertford, Cranmer, Anthony Denny
Conservatives: Thomas Wriothesley (Southampton), Lord St John (Marquis of Winchester)
Noble families under represented
Did not last long! Power delegated to Hertford, appointed Protector
Duke of Somerset
Counted on support of...
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer - leader of Reformation
Viscount Lisle (John Dudley, later Earl of Warwick, Duke of Northumberland)
Sir William Paget - Secretary of State under Henry VIII
Awarded self control a few weeks after Edward's accession - ambitious for power! Appointed members of own household to Privy Council - other members of PC feel resentment
Edward VI's uncle - brother of Jane
FACTIONAL RIVALRIES
Thomas Seymour, Somerset's brother - wanted to turn Edward VI against Somerset, AND plotted with Southampton = Somerset brings treason charges
POLICY FAILURES
Political situation deteriorated due to Somerset's lack of ability and arrogance
Foreign Policy: SCOTLAND - failure
1549 Rebellions handled poorly = gives Warwick opportunity to arrange coup
Duke of Northumberland
Becomes 'first amongst equals' in the Council
Did not want same concentration of power as Somerset - did not re-establish title of Protectorate, became Lord President
Was supported by conservatives, wanted Mary to lead
Succession
VIII Will: Said Edward should be succeeded by Mary I, by Feb 1553: Edward's health declined
Mary = Catholicism! Problem for Northumberland, as he was a radial Protestant, life would be in danger
DEVYSE
Plan to alter the succession - Edward eager to continue Protestantism, saw both Mary and Elizabeth as illegitimate, preferred Lady Jane Grey
Northumberland's son, Guildford Dudley, + Grey married
June 1553: Mary and Elizabeth declared illegitimate BUT Edward died before a Parliament could meet and ratify the new succession - Devyse is illegal
Relations with Foreign Powers