Edward's devise

who made the devise

Both Edward & Northumberland were involved in key moments of the ‘Devise’ to change the succession - original notes on the succession were written by Edward

why was the devise created

Edward intended to bar Mary’s succession on the grounds that she was a Catholic

what was the initial suggestion for the devise

Edward initially suggested that the crown should go to Jane’s male heirs - Jane was chosen because she was a Protestant and had sufficient royal blood to make her claim plausible.

what happened May 1553

Edward suffered a relapse

what happened June 1553

the order was given to draw up a new will incorporating Edward’s ‘devise’ which now said that the crown would pass straight to Jane as there was no time for her to have heirs as Edward was dying

what was a problem with the devise

Edward could not make a will or overrule parliamentary statute as a minor & Mary retained the legitimate claim

How was the devise created

Lord Chief Justice Montague refused to make the will for danger of treason but Northumberland pressured him & Montague reluctantly drafted the will as Letters Patent warning that it was not legal

how was the will attempted to be legalised

 Anyone who was of any importance was found to sign the will & swear to the ‘devise’ in front of the Councillors. Signatories included Cranmer, the Lord Chancellor, Privy Councilors ect.

why was the will not legal upon Edward’s death

Edward’s death before parliament could conform the ‘devise’ left the succession in dangerous limbo as H8s 3rd succession act (naming Mary heir) was still valid & stood in opposition to Edward’s less than legal last wish.

how did Northumberland attempt to enforce the devise after Edward’s death

by forcing the Lord  Mayor of London, aldermen & representatives of the Merchant’s adventures to sign the Devise for the new succession. Lady Jane Grey was taken to the Tower on July 10 & was proclaimed king against her wishes

why did Northumberland’s plan fail

Northumberland’s plans failed as he attempted to interfere with the legitimate succession & made it seem that he was trying to attempt to hold onto power by promoting the claims of his son’s wife. His behaviour was illegal & upset many supporters on the council. Northumberland lacked positive support.

why did Mary have support?

Mary’s succession was greeted favourably by the English people either because she was a legitimate successor or because they wanted England’s return to Catholicism

where did Mary attempt to get support

Mary declared herself queen in East Anglia & appealed to the HRE Charles V for support

how many troops did Northumberland have vs Mary

2,000 troops of limited reliability to intercept her. Mary’s forces numbered 20,000 & had been bolstered by the arrival of the Earl of Oxford

when was Mary proclaimed qyeen

July 19

what attempts did Northumberland make after his arrest

he announced his conversion to Catholicism, tried to convince the Privy Council that they needed him & spoke to the leading Catholic Stephen Gardiner (who he had imprisoned for several years) & wrote a letter to the Earl of Arundale begging him to plead on his behalf