Edwards inheritance from Henry VIII and the choices facing the New Govt

the situation that Edward inherited from Henry's reign and the choices the new govt had to solve these

What was the public view of the monarchy at the end of Henry’s reign

Henry was seen as a very strong and glamorous monarch - inspired lots of nationalism

What did the pulbic view of monarchy mean for edward?

The council needed to make sure to maintain this image of strong monarchy from henry as much as possible despite edwards age

What was the foreign policy situation at the end of Henrys reign

costly wars with france and scotland resulted in lots of economic issues and foreign debt

What was the Treaty of Greenwich?

The agreement between England and Scotland to marry Prince Edward to Mary Stewart (later Queen of Scots) to secure the alliance between them

What was the issue with Scotland

Scots broke treaty to marry Mary stewart to Edward and Henry began invasions into scottish territory - caused lots of hostility between them and the French aswell

What were Henrys campaigns in france

1544 he set out to capture Paris - two year campaign that led to major spending and only managed to capture Boulogne.

What was the financial situation like at the end of Henrys reign

debasement, foreign debt and eroded capital due to Henry’s wars

What was the religious situation like for the public by the end of Henrys reign

Doctrine was very unclear of if it was catholic or protestant - some protestant aspects some catholic

How should the new govt act to solve the foreign policy issues

Bring war with Scotland to and end and reach an effective treaty with France

What were the pros of solving foreign policy in this way

Somerset himself was military man and believed they could beat Scotland

Had a plan ready to invade Scottish lowlands and establish garrisons

what is garrisoning

the policy of stationing troops in a fortress or town to defend their authority

What are the cons of this foreign policy move

England already in a very bad economic situation - this policy would be expensive and they cannot afford this

How should the new govt act to solve the economic and financial issues

End debasement

Sell crown and Chantry lands

End borrowing

what are the pros to this economic and financial solution

selling lands is an instant source of income

ending debasement means reduce in inflation

What are the cons to this economic and finacial solution

selling lands is a short term solution - better to rent them would be long term steady income

ending borrowing and debasement means an alternative income needs to be found quickly

How should the new govt act to solve the religious issues

Push more towards protestantism

What are the pros of this solution to the religious issues

Aligns with Edwards, Somersets and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s strong protestant beliefs

makes a clear statement of the beliefs of the nation

What are the cons of this solution to the religious issues

Scots Mary is very catholic - could rally catholic europe against them

Could provoke internal unrest

What was the social situation like by the end of Henry’s reign

Enclosure of common land had caused unrest

Unemployment increase

Cloth industry in decline

What was the common land

Nobles land which was open to peasants to use for free grazing of livestock

What was enclosure

the policy of Nobles fencing off their land so peasants could no longer use it freely - caused lots of unhappiness

How should the new govt act to solve the social issues

send commissions out to investigate enclosures

What are the pros of this solution to these social issues

Helps to stop enclosure and helps the majority of people

What are the cons of this solution to social issues

Threatens social order as govt is limiting the nobles

Raises the publics expectations and hopes of the govt helping them