Edward's reign under Northumberland

The situation in government after Somerset’s fall

He was not immediately succeeded by another successor due to his downfall having been orchestrated by a group of men whose first priority was to end his dominance, they had no other coherent plan of action. Once he’d been removed, the artificiality of the coalition became evident & months of desperate factional politics followed until Northumberland emerged. However, his eventual victory wasn’t inevitable as he  had rivals & it took a lot of political skill to fulfil his rise.

Northumberland’s rise to power

He benefitted greatly from Somerset’s fall & had managed to boost his reputation by leading the troops to defeat Kett’s rebellion. He had no direct link with Edward & couldn’t immediately become lord protector as he needed to gain the council’s support. He gained the title of Duke of Northumberland but wasn’t fully in power until 1550 when he earned the title of Lord President of the Council. He didn’t however take the title of Lord Protector due to his experience watching Somerset try & take total control & how that failed for him.

Religious changes - his removal of Catholics

Northumberland was keen to support those who held radical views & but this may have merely been opportunist for sealing his position. Many conservatives lost prominent positions. Gardiner was imprisoned in the Tower & Bishop Bonner of London was deprived of his diocese & enthusiastic reformer Ridley was appointed in his place.

Religious changes - the reform programme of January 1552 - the Acts & the Prayer Book

The Treason Act was reformed & made it an offence to question royal supremacy or the beliefs of the English church. The 2nd Act of Uniformity made it an offence for clergy & laity not to attend church of England services - offenders were to be fined or imprisoned. The 1552 Prayer Book removed all traces of Catholicism & the mass & the significance of the Eucharist was reduced. 

Religious changes - the reform programme of January 1552 - instructions for bishops & an attack on church wealth

In 1553, instructions were sent out to bishops & to ensure altars were replaced by communion tables & that the clergy shouldn’t wear vestments when taking services. An attack on church wealth occurred as commissioners began the removal of all gold & silver plate still held in parish churches but this had only just begun when Edward died.

The state of the church by 1553

The church of England was definitely Protestant & its doctrines were listed by the 42 Articles that were drawn up that year - & were influenced by Luther & Calvin. However, the hierarchy & the government of the church remained the same.

Religious opinions of the people

Many landowners favoured Protestantism - possibly because they gained monastic land - and there was enthusiasm for reform in & near London due to the direct influence of trade with the Protestant areas of northern Europe. Many however simply accepted it without being enthusiastic. Many of the uneducated population didn’t like certain parts of the reform.

Influence of Humanism

This increased among the educated elite during Edward’s reign - for example the works of Erasmus were translated into English & published. Humanist ideas associated with emerging Protestant doctrines became popular & this helped to develop education & an explosion in the publishing of theological books in the 16th century. These ideas were the focus during Edward’s reign for the development of religious thought.

Foreign policy - Northumberland’s aims

He completely changed the direction of it as he was willing to sacrifice influence in Scotland in order to take care of urgent internal problems in England. He also realised the benefits of a future alliance with France against Spain & the HRE who were beginning a counter-reformation in Europe - Catholic countries seeking to regain ground lost to Protestantism.

Foreign policy - The Treaty of Boulogne 1550

Was a peace treaty signed with France & it represented English defeat as Boulogne had to finally be given up & returned. England also had to remove all garrisons from Scotland & their border was restored to what it had been before Henry VIII’s campaign. A future marriage alliance between Edward & Henry II’s daughter was also agreed. England were left with bad relations with Charles V due to his anger over extreme Protestantism being implemented in England.

Economy trade & exploration - England’s financial situation after Somerset

The government were forced to borrow heavily from European bankers after the money spent on Somerset’s war. Chantry lands were also sold off to pay off loans & the coinage was called in and re issued with the same silver content as in 1527. More crown lands were sold off & the government decided to increase revenue by raising customs & excise rates.

Economy trade & exploration - other social & economic issues

The population was continuing to rise, putting more pressure on food prices & food supplies. There were poor harvests in the early 1550s which rapidly rose grain prices. Social unrest was prevalent after the 1549 uprisings. The cloth trade in the Netherlands suffered problems & a sudden drop in exports occurred in summer 1551 due to a temporary problem with trade in Antwerp & this caused textile workers high unemployment.

Economy trade & exploration - Northumberland’s policies

He repealed the 1548 sheep tax in 1550 & a new 1550 Treason Act re imposed censorship & helped to restore law & order. Anti-enclosure legislation was enforced & the unpopular commissions were ended. Acts were passed to protect arable farming. A new 1552 poor law was passed making parishes responsible for raising money to look after the deserving poor.

Economy trade & exploration - the beginning of English exploration

Northumberland encouraged the expansion of trade routes leading to English ships trading as far as the Gold Coast in West Africa by 1553. However the ships weren’t advanced enough to sail to places like India or China. There was interest in renewing the search for a north-east passage around the north of America to change this & a company was set up in 1552, supported by the Privy Council & led by Sebastian Cabot. Richard Chancellor succeeded in 15553 in reaching Archangel & established diplomatic links with Ivan IV (Tsar of Muscovy) - the Muscovy Company was founded to encourage trade between them.

The origins of the succession crisis of 1553

Edward fell seriously ill in January 1553 & he realised he wouldn’t live to be crowned king. His only priority was to prolong Protestantism for as long as he could. Mary was the next rightful heir under the Succession Act but she was a committed Catholic & close with Charles V, posing a problem for both Northumberland & Edward.

The plan to solve the succession crisis

Northumberland tried to alter the succession before Edward died. He utilised the damage done by the fall of Henry’s first two marriages & the fact that both Elizabeth & Mary had previously been declared legally illigitimate - making them not fit to rule. He also realised that henry’s will hadn’t set aside any claims his sister may have to the throne & decided to pass the throne onto her granddaughter Lady Jane Grey. His son married her in May 1553 which was 6 weeks before Edward’s death.

Edward’s device

This was his way of changing Henry’s will & altering the succession as only he truly had the authority to do so as king. He initially left the throne to Lady Jane Grey’s future male heirs as he wanted a male Protestant ruler. However at this point she didn’t have any & her marriage to Northumberland’s son 6 weeks before Edward’s death left no time for her to produce one. He then changed it days before he died to leave the crown to Lady Jane Grey & her sons. 

The succession

Edward agreed with Northumberland’s plan & altered the device to leave the crown to Lady Jane Grey. He signed the agreement to it days before his death. However Northumberland hadn’t had enough time to properly prepare for the succession & Mary gathered the support of the country leading to her taking over after 9 days.