Was Somerset a 'Good Duke' or 'Bad Duke'

Knowledge Organiser Flashcards

Who was the Duke of Somerset?

Edward Seymour

• brother of Edward VI’s mother Jane

• risen through the ranks under Henry VIII through his military skill

• Protestant reformer & encouraged his nephew to make sweeping changes to the English church

What problems did Somerset face in 1547?

• Henry VIII had huge debts

• Henry VIII had sold off Crown Land

• Increasing Population

• Unemployment

• Increase in Vagrancy

• Avoid Public Disorder

• Deciding whether or not to go to war with France

What was Somerset like in his Government?

Dictatorial

• protectorship was rife with fractional infighting

How did Somerset keep power in his Government?

gave his court household key positions

• e.g. Sir Michael Stanhope, Seymour’s brother-in-law - made Groom of the Stool & Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber

How was Somerset progressive in his governmental approach?

• believed that inflation & suffering were amused by the greed of gentlemen

• religious issues could be solved by public discussion

How did Somerset anger men at his court?

cut many of them out of politics

• made enemies because of his progressive ideals

Who did Somerset surround himself with at court?

reformers

• e.g. Viscount Lisle (John Dudley) & Thomas Cranmer

Who did Somerset have executed?

had his brother Thomas executed for attempting to seize power

What Religious Reforms under Somerset were released in 1547?

• Denunciation of Images

• Treason Act - allowed religious issues to be discussed in open & removed censorship

• Royal Injunctions - attacked the practices of Catholicism such as the use of candles, images, stained glass, processions & rituals linked celebrations like Palm Sunday

• Dissolution of the Chantries

What Religious Reform under Somerset were released in 1548?

• The Act of Uniformity

What Religious Reform under Somerset were released in 1549?

Book of Common Prayer - sparked off the Western Rebellion both in protestant East Anglia & Catholic Devon & Cornwall

What did the Religious climate look like during Somerset’s reign?

Influx of religious radicals from Europe to spread their ideas via pamphlets

• South & South East became more Protestant & Catholicism remained in rural areas in the North & South West

Between 1547-1548 how were the Parish Churches ran?

Parish Churches were allowed to function as they pleased, leading to massive differences across the country

What was Somerset’s Foreign Policy approach towards Scotland?

decided to isolate Scotland & attempt to sign a defensive agreement with France

What was Somerset’s Foreign Policy approach towards France?

attempted to sign a defensive agreement with France

• new French King Henry II saw any form of ‘defensive alliance’ with England as a sign of national weakness

What happened under Somerset’s Foreign Policy?

• Henry II send 4000 troops to Scotland so Somerset led an attack against Scotland which he won at the Battle of Pinkie 1547

• Somerset had to rely on garrisons to control Scotland which were often attacked by the Scots & he ignored by pleas for help from the commanders

• By 1549 - Relations between Scotland & France were complicated, Somerset was too broke to fight so the foreign policy remained in limbo

Were Foreign Policy relations under Somerset resolved by 1549?

Yes/No

• Relations between Scotland & France soured

• Somerset was too broke to fight so the foreign situation remained in limbo

How was Mary, Queen of Scots a link between Scotland and France?

MQS was married to Henry II’s son - Henry referred to Scotland & Frances as 1 nation

How much did Somerset earn from debasement?

debased the coinage & earned £537,000

• inflation rose as result

What Economic Issues did Somerset face throughout his reign?

• Inflation

• Rising Population outstripped resources

• Poor Harvest in 1548

• Price of Food rose dramatically

• Value of wages fell by 50% between 1540 and 1550

What tax did Somerset introduce in 1548?

Sheep Tax - attempt to curb enclosure

When did Somerset have to deal with the Kett Rebellion?

1549

When did Somerset have to deal with the Western Rebellion?

1549

What was the causes of the Kett Rebellion in 1549?

• sheep tax

• inflation

• unemployment

• poor harvest

• increases in rent

• impact of enclosure

Who led the Kett Rebellion in 1549?

Local landowner, Robert Kett, led the rebellion & mobs took over Norwich

How did Somerset deal with the Kett Rebellion in 1549?

Edward/Somerset sent down an army & took back the city - around 3000 rebels died

What happened to Kett as a consequence of the Kett Rebellion in 1549?

Kett was hung alive in chains from Norwich castle & left to rot

What were the causes of the Western Rebellion?

Rebellion was caused by the new prayer book & the impact of the sheep tax on farmers

What did the Western Rebellion rebels want?

wanted to keep Latin in the Prayer Book & Church Services

Who were the leaders of the Western Rebellion in 1549?

Mayor Henry Bray & 2 Strict Catholic Landowners

How long did the Western Rebellion rebels hold Exeter under siege?

for 6 weeks

How did Somerset deal with the Western Rebellion in 1549?

Somerset sent some of his men & the rebellion was put down with the leaders hung, drawn & quartered

Why did Somerset fall from power?

• Somerset was arrogant which made him enemies in court

• Inept & lost support

• John Dudley had shown more decisive leadership

• Fractions at court conspired against him

• Faced with a choice of civil war, Somerset agreed to had himself in & was arrested in 1549

When was Somerset Executed?

1552