The stability of the monarchy

What did the Third Succession Act state?

That if Edward died without heirs the throne would pass to Mary Tudor, and should Mary die without hers, than the crown shall pass to Lady Elizabeth and to her heirs.

How did the third succession act reverse earlier succession acts?

The act reversed earlier succession acts, which excluded both Mary and Elizabeth from the succession, although it did not reverse their illegitimacy.

Why did Henry pass the Third succession act?

As his health was declining, he knew Edward would take the throne as a minor. As a result, Henry wanted to try and avoid disputes about the succession and in his will confirmed the terms of the Third Succession Act.

Why was Henry's concerns about political stability shown in the establishment of the Regency Council?

It was balanced between reformists, led by Seymour, and the Catholics under Norfolk and Gardiner. However, this was undermined by the actions of Paget and Denny, who left plenty of space in the King's will for changes to the King's wishes to be made and it appears that details about the council were added only when the King was close to death and unable to prevent them.

How did Paget and Denny take advantage of the King?

The changes to the will didn't even require Henry's signature as Denny controlled the dry stamp of the King's signature, which could be inked in.

He and Paget also were able to King's death quiet for a few days so the reformists were able to consolidate their position and Somerset establish himself and execute virtual royal power.

Who were the minors who had been on the throne before Edward?

- Henry III was nine when he came to throne

- Richard II was ten

- Henry VI was eight months

- Edward V was twelve

Why were there concerns about a minor coming to the throne?

- He would be unable to lead troops into battle

- Other states might look to exploit the weakness of a minor

- England might return to civil war

- He would be unable to control factional struggles, similar to those of the last years of Henry VIII

- In an age of personal monarchy, there were concerns about his image as it would be difficult to portray him as powerful

Why was Somersets assumption of power unsurprising?

He was Edward's uncle and had built up a good reputation as a successful solider during the campaigns against Scotland in the 1540s

What was the transfer of power to Somerset like?

Was smooth and there were good arguments against a Regency Council of sixteen with every member having an equal voice as it was very unlikely any decisions would be reached.

However, some questioned the legality of Somerset's power as it went against Henry's wishes.

Why were there concerns about a female ruler?

- A woman would be unable to control faction

- A woman would be unable to lead an army into battle

- A woman was expected to marry, but that created further problem. First, there was a question of whom Mary should marry, and second, the 16th century view was that woman should be subservient to their husbands

Why was there concerns over Mary's marriage arrangements?

- If Mary married an Englishman the power of her husband's family would increase and they might dominate court

- If Mary married a foreigner there were fears that the country would be dominated by foreigners

Why did John Knox say in his book?

Expressed his view that it was unnatural and insulting to god for a woman to rule

Who were the two realistic candidates to marry Mary?

- Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon, who was backed by Gardiner

- Phillip of Spain, who was backed by Paget

Why did Mary choose to marry Philip?

It would bring England closer to the Habsburgs, the family to which her mother, Catherine of Aragon, was related

Why were there fears when Mary married Phillip?

Phillip might be a powerful ruler who could protect Mary, but as she was expected to be subservient she could be dragged into wars which would not benefit the nation.

What was the Councils reaction to Mary wanting to marry Phillip?

Mary informed the council it was her intention to marry Phillip and there was a petition from the House of Commons opposing her decision, but she ignored it. On 7 Dec, a marriage treaty was presented to the council and approved in January 1554.

Was Mary's marriage treaty useful?

It did not prevent rebellion which broke out in January 1554 and plotting had begun as soon as there were rumours of marriage.

What was the impact of the Wyatt rebellion on Mary's marriage?

Despite the defeat of the rebellion, it did have an impact on stability as the marriage did not take place until twelve months after Mary came to the throne, and after the marriage, Phillip spent more time abroad than in the country, limiting his influence.

Who was behind the plot to exclude Mary from the throne?

Lord President of the Council, Northumberland and Edward

Why did Northumberland want to exclude Mary from the throne?

- It was essential to preserve his power

- As a Protestant, he would lose power when the Catholic Mary came to the throne

What was Northumberland's plan to exclude Mary?

To marry his soon, Guildford Dudley, to Lady Jane Grey in order to achieve it. This was soon followed by Edward changing his will and naming Jane Grey as his heir

Why did Edward want to exclude Mary from the throne?

- He was playing a greater role in government

- Was a committed Protestant and wanted to stop the throne passing to his Catholic half sister

- Wanted the religious reform plan he had started to continue

What was the devise for the succession for Edward?

The Devise was initially drawn up in May 1553 and named the male heirs of the Grey family as its successors, but there were no male heirs and there was no likelihood of any being born before Edward died. Therefore the initial Devise was altered and Jane Grey was made heir. It was only with this change that Northumberland's importance increased as when Guildford married Jane she was not heir.

What is the evidence that Edward was behind the succession plot rather than Northumberland?

- As an experienced solider, Northumberland would have ensured he had sufficient forces to take control, but the professional force had been dismissed in 1552

- He would have ensured Mary was captured, but she escaped to East Anglia

- He wold have launched a propaganda campaign to prepare the national for the change in the succession

How did Mary respond to Edward's death?

Mary responded quickly and proclaimed herself Queen and sent letters to the Privy Council and important towns informing them, this behaving as if she considered herself the rightful monarch.

Why was Marys legitimacy a problem when succeeding the throne?

The question of legitimacy was important for the ruling class, because if they supported an illegal claimant all laws could be challenged and their right to land questioned. It was in their interests to support the rightful ruler

What happened to Jane's rule?

Although Jane was proclaimed Queen, against her wishes, on 10 July, her rule did not last and the rebellion soon collapsed

What was the succession of the throne like after Mary's death?

Mary made attempt to alter the succession in the 1558, although she did try and persuade Elizabeth to maintain the Catholic faith. When she died, the crown was offered peacefully to her sister, suggesting that legitimacy and the succession as stated by Henry in the Third Succession Act was more important than issues of religious belief.

What was the impact of the 1549 unrest?

Although the unrest in the countryside was put down, the ruling elite were concerned by the disorder, particularly as some off the rebels complaints were against them. Not only that, but there was also disquiet within governing circles about the personal nature of Somerset's government. It led to the formation of of an anti Somerset faction.

What was the anti Somerset faction?

The group that was formed had little in common except a dislike for Somerset's policies and methods. It included figures such as Paget, Warwick and Wriothesley. The latter was opposed to Somerset's religious policies, Warwick may have seen an opportunity to advance his own power, while Paget was concerned about Somerset ignoring his advice.

How did Somerset lose power?

As Somerset's hold on power declined, he retreated to Hampton Court with Edward. On 5 Oct he summoned loyal subjects there to defend him and the King, but the next day moved to Windsor with Edward. However, Edward fell ill, claimed he was a prisoner and abandoned his uncle. Edward stated that Somerset had threatened riots if he was removed from power. Although Somerset denied this he could not contradict that king and within a week was removed.

Why was Warwicks triumph far from guaranteed?

The Council contained a majority of religious conservatives who did not trust Warwick. He brought in his own allies so that he had a protestant majority, but in early December there were rumours of a Catholic plot to remove him.

How did Warwick take advantage of Somerset's fall?

Warwick seized the opportunity, declaring that anyone who attacked Somerset was attacking him. The leading Catholics were dismissed and Warwick was Lord President of the Council. He placed his own supporters in important positions around Edward, but in order to succeed he had been forced to ally with more religiously radical members and this owl have an impact on religious developments

What happened before Somersets execution?

Warwick released Somerset from jail, his goods were restored and his daughter married Warwick's son. He was also retired to court and the Privy Council.

However, Somerset continue to plot in an attempt to recover his position and this led the Privy Council to execute him.

Why did Mary's marriage suggest she could not control factions?

Two of her leading councillors supported different suitors. There were also fears that a Spanish marriage would create factional strife between English courtiers worried about their positions and patronage and the expected influx of Spanish courtiers, who they believe would dominate the court and be given positions within the administration.

Why was Mary's Privy Council large?

Because brought in own supported who helped her gain the throne, but also kept many experienced administrators. This led to some to argue that it was ineffective.

Why was Mary's large Privy Council effective?

- It was rare for all councillors to be present

- the average size of meetings was similar to those held under Northumberland

- Committees were established in 1554 which excluded casual councillors

- In 1555 an inner council was established

- Phillips departure in 1555 and the death of Gardiner in November 1555 allowed Paget to dominate and establish a conciliar form of government

Why were there clashed between Gardiner and Paget?

Initially over Mary's marriage but also over the revival over heresy laws. In April 1554 parliament rejected their reintroduction and did not agree to them until they had guarantees that monastic lands would not be restored to the Church.

Many have argued that this provides evidence of the unpopularity of Mary's religious policies. However, the struggle to reintroduce them was part of the factional struggle between Paget and Gardiner, because the same legislation that had initially been rejected was passed once Paget and his supported backed it.

What was the impact of Cardinal Pole?

It could be argued that the arrival of Cardinal Pole as papal legate changed the nature of court politics. It has been argued that Mary was aware of the division among her councillors and therefore she had everything referred to him, or to the Spanish ambassador, Simon regard, as she did not trust her councillors' advice