Edward VI reign 1547-1553

Government and style

Religious changes

Economic changes

Regency council was sat up by Henry VIII 16 members and additional 12 members, administrators and lawyers

difficult inheritance: religiously divided, security compromised, crown finances damaged by expensive FP, inflation

Under Somerset, he awarded himself Lord protectate in 1547 and placed his own supporters such as Micheal Stanhope and relied on Cranmer and Pagnet

regency council had balance of religious conservatives such as Writhosley and Paulet and reformers such as Cranmer and Warick

Somerset adopted a dictorial manner which was not appreciated by ministers eg- Writhosley who was derived from his position in the Privy council

Thomas Seymour conspired with Writhosley against Somerset, Somerset placed his brother on trial and Writhosely regained his set after he denounced Thomas

Despite this other ministers were not keen on Somerset so Lord Auderel and other minister decided to take him down. Somerset fled to Windsor with the King agreed to surrender if not changes brought against him. Sent to the tower with the Earl of Warwick coming to power Somerset's response to the rebellion in 1549 led his downfall quickly

Northumberland consolidated his power in 1550, placed his own supporters such as Sir John Gates and gave himself the position as the Lord president , didn't want to central power due to the effects of Somerset

Majority under his power government worked effectively however in 1552 Somerset was double dealing which led to him get executed and from them Northumberland became paranoid and started to adopt the same manner Somerset did even to the point where Pagnet came up with guildlines and he was sent to the Tower

under Somerset:

1547- new Treason Act

1547- denunciation of images in London

1547- injunctions issued

1547- dissolution of chantries

1549- Book of Common prayer by Cranmer

Cranmer issued Homily on obedience to ensure order in 1547

Under Northumberland, was more radical

1552- Book of common prayer

removal of conservative practices

replacing the wafer with bread

restriction on church music

ban of popish vestments

rewriting of and confirmation and baptists

Social impacts on the public

dissolution of chantries and guilds was a loss particularly for the elderly and education wise as it provided education and helped the poor

people stopped leaving money in their wills for churches evidenced through wills

Hopper suggested there was few changes being made because public were uncooperative

Christopher Haig- argues there's a religious crisis as even there is a decline in attendance evident in Exeter

church plates were confiscated by the crown

Under Somerset

taxation- due to wanting to fund the war against Scotland, Encloure was big due to the growth of population tackled by setting up a committee and passing a proclamation on enclosure

agricultural issues

inflation- sheep tax which affected minor farmers who lived of sheep, made to stop people from converting arable land to pasture

decided to debase the coinage which increased inflation although gained £537,000 from it

Under Northumberland

pretty stable and effective even maaganed to end the war with Scotland and banged to gain £133,333 from France in exchange for Boulonge

Rebellions

1549 Western Rebellion

Reasons: Sheep Tax and religious reasons, disliked the Book of Common Prayer and disliked the sheep tax it affected hill farmers in particular

In Devon and Cornwall

surpassed through Lord Russel and his troops

Ketts Rebellion

East Anglia

supressed through foreign mercanies as Somerset had to send

Reasons: taxation, disliked the maladminstarion of the Howards and Religious reasons of the Book of Common prayer