The Devise and the succession in 1553 and 1558

When did Edward VI’s health begin to deteriorate?

In the early months of 1553, continued to decline despite treatment.

According to ___ the throne was supposed to pass to ___

The Succession Acts and Henry’s will / Mary, Edward’s half-sister

What developed during the spring and summer of 1553?

A plot to change the succession so as to exclude Mary.

Who do most accounts suggest to be the schemer of the plot?

Work of the Lord President of the Council, Northumberland.

What do the accounts suggest to be Northumberland’s reasons for the plot?

• essential to preserve his power

• as a Protestant he would lose power when the Catholic Mary came to the throne

What was part of Northumberland’s plot and attempt to secure power?

He arranged the marriage of his son, Guildford Dudley to Lady Jane Grey. Soon followed by Edward changing his will and naming Jane Grey as his heir.

What is the evidence to suggest that Edward was the driving force behind the attempts to change the succession?

• He was playing a greater role in government, attending Privy Council meetings and setting some agendas

• Edward was a committed Protestant and wanted to stop the throne passing to his Catholic half-sister

• He wanted the religious reform programme he had started to continue

When was the Devise for the succession initially drawn up?

May 1553

Who did the Devise name as the successors and what was the problem with this?

It named the male heirs of the Grey family as the successors.

There were no male heirs and there was no likelihood of any being born before Edward died as his health was rapidly declining.

What did the alteration the initial Devise entail?

Jane Grey was made heir

How did the change to the initial Devise benefit Northumberland?

When Jane Grey became named successor, his power increased. When Guilford married Jane, she was not heir.

How was the plot managed and who does this suggest was behind it?

Plot managed poorly, suggests Edward was behind it

What would be expected of a plot organised by Northumberland?

• As an experienced soldier, would have ensured had sufficient forces to take control, but professional force had been diminished in 1552

• Would have ensure Mary was captured, but she escaped to East Anglia

• Would have launched a propaganda campaign to prepare the nation for the change in the succession

When did Edward die?

6 July 1553

How long was the news of Edward’s death kept quite for?

2 days

How did Mary respond to Edward’s death?

Quickly:

• proclaimed herself queen

• sent letters to the Privy Council + important towns informing them

Behaving as if she considered herself the rightful + legitimate monarch

What was important to the ruling class in terms of succession and why?

The question of legitimacy. If they supported an illegal claimant all laws could be challenged and their right to land questioned. In their interest to support the rightful ruler.

When was Jane proclaimed Queen? Was this her wish?

10 July 1553. No, against her wishes.

Did Lady Jane Grey’s rule last?

No, Mary also proclaimed herself queen and the rebellion soon collapsed.

Did the death of Edward VI create instability?

Yes, raising of armed forces

How long did Lady Jane Grey rule for? Who did the elite support?

9 days. The ruling elite supported the rightful monarch, backing Mary once Northumberland left London.

What did Mary do + not do shortly before she died in 1558?

Did not try and changed the succession. Did try and persuade Elizabeth to maintain the Catholic faith.

What happened when Mary died in 1558 and what does this suggest?

The crown was passed peacefully to her sister, suggesting legitimacy and the succession stated by Henry in the Third Succession Act was more important than issues of religious belief.