L2 - problems faced by edward upon accession 1547

what were the most significant problems edward faced in 1547? why?

• he was only NINE, so too young to rule in his own right

• factional rivalry within court → vying to control the ‘reins’ of government

• religious differences at court and nationwide

• depletion of crown finances from henry viii’s wars w/ france and scotland

• debasement of the coinage → rising inflation & increase risk of rebellion

• lost source of income from father’s sale of monastic lands

what was the absolute key problem edward would face in his reign? why?

edward was only 9 and too young to rule in his own right

• power vacuum at the centre of government only amplified and exacerbated pre-existing problems

• appeared weak and vulnerable, ruled chaotically with decisions made on his behalf

• can compare to henry vii who experience similar problems but due to sage experience and less self-interested advisors dealt with them swiftly and effectively

  • was a strong, central figure whose presence stabilised the realm

what is a traditional interpretation of government during edward’s reign?

• overly negative

• major power vacuum in tudor government

• personal monarchy remained → gained power from proximity to manipulate edward

• edward was not in control of his government but his privy council were

• unable to rule independently as king → all problems amplified by this fact

• those who control edward, control the realm

how can the interpretation of a mid-tudor “crisis” be discredited?

• imminent danger of english government and society collapsing

  • majorly overstates extent of problems

  • many problems were pre-existing and continued throughout entire tudor era

  • merely exacerbated by weak rulers and subsequent economic pressure, rebellions and religious upheaval

what evidence is here to contradict a traditional negative interpretation of edward vi’s reign? (5)

• very clever, natural talent for languages → would be highly useful for diplomacy

• impressed everyone with his learning

  • tutor believed he could matriculate from oxford

• wasn’t always ‘sickly’ → enjoyed activities like riding and tennis

• interested and frequently debated theology

• by late teens, began to influence council’s decisions esp. regarding religious reforms

when did edward’s trend of sickness consolidate itself?

1552

• contracted measles, then smallpox

• did recover

when and how did edward vi die?

6th july 1553

• contracted tuberculosis and obtained a chronic chest infection

• 15 years old