Mid Tudor Crisis? - Government/ Foreign Policy

Give evidence that there WAS a crisis in GOVERNMENT under Henry VIII? (2)

1. faction > ill-health of king exacerbated tensions between the conservative and progressive factions, exemplified by the plot regarding Cranmer (accused falsely of heresy but given king's ring...) and Catherine Parr (accused of heresy/ too outspoken on religion but appealed to king...)

2. Died leaving a minor king as heir > perception it would lead to instability

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in GOVERNMENT under Henry VIII? (2)

1. Failure of these plots demonstrated that the king whilst fragile physically, remained in control of faction...

2. Planed to mitigate concerns of Edward's inheritance by a precisely planned 'regency council' comprised of Seymour, Denny and Paget.

Give evidence that there WAS a crisis in FACTION under Edward VI? (3)

1. Duke of Somerset/ Lord Protectorate (Edward Seymour) controlled the government e.g. appointing members of his household like Sir Micheal Stanhope as Chief Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber.

2. August 1549 - Warwick (John Dudley, later Northumberland), Southampton & Arundel conspired to overthrow Somerset - had a 'stand off' in October which resulted in Somerset surrendering.

3. A coup within government, led by Northumberland, aimed at getting rid of conservative faction due to self-preservation.

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in FACTION under Edward VI? (3)

1. After Warwick, later Northumberland, was promoted to power after Somerset's downfall, he was cautious to avoid excessive concentration of power (presided as Lord President of the Council).

2. Balanced his own supporters with those who had served under Somerset within the Privy Council.

3. Involved Edward VI in meetings/ decisions.

To what extent did Somerset challenge royal authority? (2)

Lord Protectorate...

> concentrated power in his own hands by establishing tight control over Privy Council by appointing supporter sir Micheal Stanhope as Chief Gentlemen + arrested members of Privy Council if challenged his role e.g. Earl of Southampton.

> Ruled by proclamation - bypassed legal and royal processes, weakening respect for traditional royal authority.

To what extent did Northumberland pose a threat to royal authority? (4)

> as Lord Chamberlain, and appointed Sir John Gates as Vice-Chamberlain of the household, operated an effective gov through Privy Council - involved Edward.

> after Somerset's attempted coup, N became less conciliar in his approach to governing e.g. presumed enemies (Paget) were removed from Council and sent to the tower.

> power increasingly lay in N + henchman Gates hands' - held possession of the dry stamp, enabling him to affix the king's signature to documents.

> when Edward's health began to deteriorate, became fearful for his life as knew Mary would reinstate Catholic church of which N was fiercely opposed to - big role in producing 'the devise'.

Give evidence that there WAS a crisis in GOVERNMENT under Edward VI? (2)

1. Somerset avoided using parliament and the Privy Council - granted powers by 'letters patent' and ruled by proclamation (77 in 2 years).

2. Poor management of Foreign Policy e.g. the garrisoning of Scotland & mishandled rebellions.

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in GOVERNMENT under Edward VI? (2)

1. Archbishop Cranmer's homily on obedience (15470 reinforced idea that obedience to king was in accordance with the will of God.

2. Under Somerset, Parliament continued to meet frequently, passing laws e.g. new Treason Act in 1550...

3. Northumberland used proclamation less + revived Privy Council as centre of government/ increased use of parliament: (New 'Lord Lieutenants' in counties to enforce order + passing laws to deal with economic issues (1552) like recoinage/ improved quality of apprentices of textile industry).

Give evidence that there WAS a crisis in SUCCESSION under Edward VI? (2)

1. Northumberland (supported by Edward?) produced 'the devise' in 1553 - declared Mary & Elizabeth illegitimate & began process to ratify new succession...

2. After Edward's death in July 1553, Northumberland declared Lady Jane Grey as the new queen (9th July 1553).

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in SUCCESSION under Edward VI?

1. Depsite the fall of Somerset/ rise of Warwick (Northumberland), there was continuity in the personnel of the Council.

2. Edward died before parliament could ratify the new succession, therefore it was 'illegal' & technically Mary/Elizabeth sill legitimate.

Give Evidence that there WAS a crisis in FACTION under Mary I?

Most loyal or trusted supporters had no political experience, e.g. Robert Rochester/ Sir Henry Bedingfield = had to rely on those who'd served previously e.g. Bishop Stepehn Gardiner or Lord Paget.

*had previously opposed her religious reforms.*

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in FACTION under Mary I? (2)

1. Depsite having to rely on councillors who'd previously opposed her, came to view Gardiner as indispensable - appointed as Lord Chancellor.

2. councillors such as Gardiner and Paget were both loyal to her.

Give evidence that there WAS a crisis in GOVERNMENT under Mary I? (2)

1. Forced to rely on two foreigners for secular policy: husband Philip of Spain (married 1554) + ambassador of Charles V, Simon Renard.

2. Parliament opposed Mary on key issues e.g. restoration of former monastic lands + position of Philip as King of England (challenged royal authority?).

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in GOVERNMENT under Mary I? (2)

1. Continued to use parliament and council to make important decisions e.g. refinanced the Navy + summoned 6 parliaments during her short reign.

2. achieved important reforms + improved England's financial system e.g. updated book of rates = enhanced gov revenue.

Give evidence that there WAS a crisis in SUCCESSION under Mary I? (4)

1. Lady Jane Grey's initial position of queen (9 days).

2. Wyatt rebellion in 1554 aimed mostly at preventing Spanish marriage.

3. Parliament prevented Philip from being included in the proposed treason law in 1554 + prevented Phillip's coronation as King in 1555.

4. Mary dies with no heir & the knowledge that Elizabeth would restore England to Protestantism.

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in SUCCESSION under Mary I? (3)

> In response to Lady Jane Grey, she acted quickly - supported by nobility, gentry & ordinary folk (popular support).

> Marriage to Philip (foreigner) prevented rise of factional rivalry as a husband's family would have inevitably gained influence.

> Despite no heir, popular support for Elizabeth + Philip did not oppose Elizabeth's accession.

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in FACTION under early Elizabeth I? (2)

1. Despite loyalty to Mary's catholic rule, councillors made no effort to interfere with succession.

2. appointed new, balanced Privy council (11 previously served + 7 new e.g. William Cecil).

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in GOVERNMENT under Elizabeth I? (2)

1. First parliament in 1559 produced the 'Religious Settlement': The Act of Supremacy + Act of Uniformity...

2. While parliament tried to persuade her on the issue of marriage but consistently rejected by Elizabeth.

Give evidence that there WASN'T a crisis in SUCCESSION under Elizabeth I? (2)

1. Within days of Mary's death, 9 of her councillors rode to Elizabeth to assure her of their loyalty + not affected by religious divides.

2. fear over succession when she contracted small pox in 1562 but she recovered...

Evidence of CRISIS in Foreign Policy under late HENRY VIII? (2)

1. Persuit of 'La Gloire' against France cost over £2 million but achieved little.

2. Defeat at the Battle of Ancrum Moor (1545) ended betrothal agreement between Mary & Edward.

Evidence of NO CRISIS in Foreign Policy under late HENRY VIII? (3)

1. Captured Boulogne in 1544 + Treaty of Andres in 1546 gave it to Henry for 8 years.

2. Victory against Solway Moss (1542) - heavy defeat on Scottish side.

3. Treaty of Greenwich (1543) committed Queen Mary Scots to Edward.

Evidence of CRISIS in Foreign Policy under Edward VI? (2)

1. Somerset's policy of garrisoning all major fortifications on border - failed to secure marriage with Mary, extremely costly (unsustainable) and lack of troop motivation.

2. Somerset continued wars over the ending of Scottish betrothal ('rough wooing period') - led to rebellions of 1549...

Evidence of NO CRISIS in Foreign Policy under Edward VI? (4)

1. Battle of Pinkie (1547) led by Somerset - destroyed Scottish troops.

2. Northumberland ended costly war with France - returned Boulogne in return for 'ransom' of £133,333 (only paid half).

3. Northumberland agreed peace settlement (1552) - retuned Anglo-Scottish border to that pre- Battle of Solway Moss.

4. Northumberland restored diplomatic relations with Charles V.

Evidence of CRISIS in FOREIGN POLICY under Mary I? (2/3)

1. Marriage to Philip arguably contributed to the Wyatt Rebellion 1554 BUT represented interests of Catholic Church.

2. Drawn into Spanish war against France due to marriage and French sheltering of religious refugee supporters of Wyatt rebellion - helped defeat France BUT lost Calais in 1558.

"When I am dead and opened, you shall find Calais lying in my heart."

> final piece of English territory in France.

Evidence of NO CRISIS in FOREIGN POLICY under Mary I? (3)

1. Marriage to Phillip represented her Catholic interests.

2. Mary did not (initially) involve England in wars with France/ Spain - enjoyed economic stability of trading with N France & Flanders.

3. Navy Act drastically improved finances of the Navy and resulted in 21 warships being available for service by 1557 in comparison to 1555 where only 3 had been available for service.

Evidence of CRISIS in FOREIGN POLICY under Elizabeth I?

Intervention in France (1562) with loan of £30,000 to support French Protestant Huguenots = defeated + unfavourable terms in Treaty of Troyes (1564) + lost territory of Calais indefinitely.

Evidence of NO CRISIS in FOREIGN POLICY under Elizabeth I? (3/ 4 ish)

1. Treaty of Cateau-Cambersis (1559) ended French v Hapsburg Empire war - indirectly freed England any responsibilities + French plunged into religious civil war soon after so incapable of fighting any war.

2. Percieved openness to all suitors (any religion/ nationality) = positive relations as nations felt they had possibility of conquering England without war.

3. Prioritised policy of limited intervention of money ad arms e.g. Scotland, conflict between the Guise faction and the Lords of the Congregation (refused INITIALLY) BUT also intervened when she felt necessary e.g. Treaty of Berwick (1560) - offered military support to the Lords of the Congregation, ended up forcing French forces to retreat from Scotland & protected Protestant political influence.

Why should lack of successes in wars be seen/ not be seen ALONE as a CRISIS?

Defeat not a key characteristic as somewhat represent normality in England. They have not dominated Scotland since 1307/ France in 1189, plus during Henry VIII's reign there was constant fluctuations between war and peace + lost huge amounts of money in persuit of La Gloire in France.

Why did some people view Foreign Policy in this time period as a crisis?

Whig interpretations - time of expansion with the British Empire - loss of territories (French Calais) and shrinking of English in Europe.