Edward VI - Background and character

Relationship with family

Edward rarely saw his father growing up, Henry VIII received reports of his sons education. Raised predominantly by his nurses without his mother as she had died in childbirth. (Jane Seymour)

Character

He was a serious child and self disciplined, his diary was cold and without emotion in his description of his uncles execution.

Upbringing

Hardly ever alone and raised at Hertfordshire house, not allowed to play contact sports such as jousting. Intelligent, wrote in Greek and loved studying military campaigns funded. Loved archery and horse riding.

Strengths upon accession

He was crowned King,

Healthy child at the beginning

Intelligent, confident and opinionated

Knowledge of nobility and gentry

Uncle was lord protector

Weaknesses upon accession

Only 9 yrs when he became king

suffered from a wide variety of problems in England such as poverty

His father had depleted the royal coffers by spending 2m on war with France

growing popular discontent over England

State of England in 1547

An increase in population meant pressure on food, supply, rent, jobs and inflation

Continued change in open farming to enclosure

resentment at government for things such as faith

financial problems

religious discontent