Policies under Somerset

when was Somerset in charge

1547-1549

what was Somerset’s problem with foreign policy

Inherited a potentially ruinous foreign policy from H8 & was bound by H8s wish for Edward to marry MQoS & by the need to retain the support of the war-like nobility

Someset’’s overriding concern with the Scottish war led him to…

continue the heavy miliary expenditure

when did Somerset campaign in Scotland

1547-1549

How did Somerset plan to save money on invasions?

by garrisoning the Scottish lowlands

Held onto…which had become an important symbol of maintaining H8s legacy.

Boulogne

Somerset defeated the Scots at the…

Battle of Pinkie in September 1547

what was the problem with garrisoning Scotland

The forts in Scotland proved difficult & expensive to garrison

did Somerset succeed in campaigns of Scotland

the English could not capture the strategically significant castles at Dunbar & Edinburgh

How did Somerset fail concerning France & foreign policy

The French were able to relieve Edinburgh & gain control of Mary who was taken to France to marry the Dauphin in 1548

How much did the campaign of Scotland cost?

£580,393

what problems did Somerset face with economy & finance

The country was bankrupt & inflation was extremely high

what action did Somerset take with economy and finance?

attempted no reforms of the Government’s finances & continued H8s policy of debasement

how did Somerset fail concerning economy & finance

The war against Scotland had been expensive & debasement damaged the economy through inflation & economic instability

what problems did Somerset face concerning religion

pressure from the reformers was pushing the country towards Protestantism

what actions did Somerset take concerning religion

The First Book of Common Prayer (1549) established a moderate Protestant position

how did Somerset fail in religious policy

The First Book of Common Prayer provoked rebellion in various parts of the country

what problems did Somerset face with social policy

There was anger felt over enclosure which was blamed for many economic problems, growing concern about poverty & a poor harvest in 1549 & 1550

what action did Somerset take against social problems

Vagrancy Act (known as the ‘Slavery Act’) 1547 & a commission launched against enclosure & proclamations were issued

did Somerset’s commission into enclosure succeed

Somerset’s anti-enclosure policy had been seen as a cause of the rebellions in 1549

how did Somerset fail in his Vagrancy Act?

the Vagrancy Act was unpopular & was seen as too harsh

how did Somerset succeed in his Vagrancy Act?

take the gov towards the poor relief provision that evolved during the 16th century