Edward VI - Tudors: Mid Tudor Crisis

History

State of society and economy in 1547

• Royal finances were ruined by expensive wars against France and Scotland.

• Coinage had been debased leading to high inflation.

• Monastic lands had been sold off at discounted prices.

• Ruinous foreign policies inherited from Henry VIII; Broken alliances with France, Scotland, Spain,

• Lost the support of papal states due to protestant stance of England

Economic policies under Somerset - Edward VI 1547 - 1550:

• £537,000 raised by debasement

• Inflation caused by debasement reduced real wages.

• Bad harvest in 1548

• Set up an Enclosures commission.

• 1549 sheep tax put pressure on farmers

How much money was raised by debasement under Somerset during Edward VI's reign?

£537,000

What economic issue was caused by debasement that affected real wages?

Inflation

What significant agricultural issue occurred in 1548?

Bad harvest

What commission was set up to address land enclosure issues under Somerset?

Enclosures commission

What tax was introduced in 1549 that put pressure on farmers?

Sheep tax

Economic policies under Northumberland - Edward VI 1550 - 1553:

• Achieved a measure of stability

• Ended the wars which reduced Crown expenditure and secured £133,333 a year for return of Boulogne.

• One final debasement then abandoned the practice.

• Improved Crown finance although some methods were dubious such as the melting of Church plates.

• Set up commission on improving Royal Finance although this would not come to fruition until Mary's rule.

What economic achievement did Northumberland accomplish during Edward VI's reign?

Achieved a measure of stability.

What action did Northumberland take to reduce Crown expenditure?

Ended the wars which secured £133,333 a year for the return of Boulogne.

What was the final action taken regarding debasement under Northumberland?

One final debasement then abandoned the practice.

How did Northumberland improve Crown finance?

Improved Crown finance although some methods were dubious, such as the melting of Church plates.

What commission did Northumberland set up related to Royal Finance?

Set up a commission on improving Royal Finance, although it would not come to fruition until Mary's rule.

Religious changes under Somerset - Edward VI 1547 - 1550

• 1547; Denunciation of images in London. Ridley supported iconoclasm.

• 1547; Royal Injunctions attacked popular catholicism - images, processions.

-1547; Dissolution of Chantries and Guilds - Crown used money to pay for wars. Attack on popular catholicism.

• 1548; Act of Uniformity laid down publication of Book of Common Prayer.

• 1549; Moderate Book of Common Prayer introduced.

What significant religious change occurred in London in 1547 under Somerset?

Denunciation of images; Ridley supported iconoclasm.

What did the Royal Injunctions of 1547 attack?

Popular Catholicism, including images and processions.

What was the outcome of the dissolution of Chantries and Guilds in 1547?

The Crown used the money to pay for wars and it was an attack on popular Catholicism.

What was established by the Act of Uniformity in 1548?

The publication of the Book of Common Prayer.

Religious changes under Northumberland - Edward VI 1550 - 1553

• Radical clergy became more influential.

-1552; Second Act of uniformity.

-1552; Revised Book of Common Prayer - Radical changes to Communion influenced by Zwingli.

• 1552; Treason Act passed by Parliament making it an offence to question Royal Supremacy and the English Church.

-1553; 42 Articles of Religion published by Cranmer - influenced by Zwingli

What was introduced in 1552 in regards to Parliament?

Treason act pass by parliament - offence of question Royal Supremacy and English church.

What was introduced in 1549 regarding the Book of Common Prayer?

A moderate version of the Book of Common Prayer was introduced.

What became more influential under Northumberland during Edward VI's reign?

Radical clergy

What significant act was passed in 1552 during Edward VI's reign?

Second Act of Uniformity

What was revised in 1552 that included radical changes to Communion?

Book of Common Prayer

Who published the 42 Articles of Religion in 1553?

Cranmer

What theological influence was present in the 42 Articles of Religion?

Influenced by Zwingli

Foreign Policy under Somerset - Edward VI 1547 - 1550

Scotland - Aim was to reassert Edward's claim to the Scottish throne by marriage to Mary Queen of Scots.

• Wanted to defeat the Scottish in battle and build and garrison forts on the borders.

• 1547 Battle of Pinkie; Scottish were defeated but this was the only English success in Scotland. Forts were difficult and expensive to garrison. Underestimated the French-Scottish alliance and failed to stop aid from reaching Scotland. The French took Mary to marry the Dauphin in 1548 - marriage alliance. Boulogne was expensive to maintain.

• 1549; Somerset withdrew troops from Scotland to deal with rebellions and defend the south from a possible French invasion.

What was Edward VI's aim regarding Scotland during Somerset's foreign policy?

To reassert Edward's claim to the Scottish throne by marriage to Mary Queen of Scots.

What was one of Somerset's military strategies in Scotland?

To defeat the Scottish in battle and build and garrison forts on the borders.

What significant battle occurred in 1547 during Somerset's foreign policy in Scotland?

The Battle of Pinkie.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Pinkie?

The Scottish were defeated, but it was the only English success in Scotland.

What challenges did Somerset face in maintaining forts in Scotland?

Forts were difficult and expensive to garrison.

What mistake did Somerset make regarding the French-Scottish alliance?

He underestimated the alliance and failed to stop aid from reaching Scotland.

What happened to Mary Queen of Scots in 1548?

The French took her to marry the Dauphin.

Why was Boulogne a concern for Somerset?

It was expensive to maintain.

What did Somerset do in 1549 regarding troops in Scotland?

He withdrew troops to deal with rebellions and defend the south from a possible French invasion.

Foreign Policy under Northumberland- Edward VI 1550 - 1553

-Ended war with Scotland and France.

• 1550 Peace of Boulogne; treaty between France, England, and Scotland, to end the War of the Rough Wooing.

• Returned Boulogne to French control. Could be seen as a humiliating defeat for the English but this improved Royal Finances as it was a constant drain of Crown resources.

• English abandonment of Scottish garrison improved Crown finances.

What was a significant action taken in foreign policy under Northumberland during Edward VI's reign?

Ended war with Scotland and France.

What territory was returned to French control during Northumberland's foreign policy?

Boulogne

How could the return of Boulogne to French control be perceived?

As a humiliating defeat for the English.

What was one financial benefit of ending the war with France?

It improved Royal Finances by reducing a constant drain of Crown resources.

What was the impact of abandoning the Scottish garrison on Crown finances?

It improved Crown finances.

Rebellions under Somerset - Edward VI 1547 - 1550

• Western Rebellion (Prayer Book rebellion) 1549; Based in Cornwall. Demanded the restoration of catholic doctrines. Following the introduction of the new prayer book, it became a full scale rebellion. Brought the southwest to a standstill. Somerset underestimate the rebellion. Rebels gained land around Exeter leading to another rebellion in the east.

• Kett's Rebellion 1549; Based in the east. Began in response to enclosure. Kett was a landowner who agreed to lead the rebels and end enclosure.

• Rebellions threatened a breakdown of government in two regions. Long terms issues of sheep tax, grazing, abuse of tenants increased the chances of the rebellions being sparked.

• Western Rebellion defeated by the army in 1549.

• Kett's Rebellion defeated by the Earl of Warwick with 4000 deaths from both sides.

What was the Western Rebellion also known as?

Prayer Book Rebellion

When did the Western Rebellion occur?

1549

Where was the Western Rebellion based?

Cornwall

What did the Western Rebellion demand?

Restoration of Catholic doctrines

What triggered the Western Rebellion?

The introduction of the new prayer book

What was the outcome of the Western Rebellion?

Defeated by the army in 1549

What was Kett's Rebellion primarily in response to?

Enclosure

Who led Kett's Rebellion?

Kett, a landowner

When did Kett's Rebellion occur?

1549

Where was Kett's Rebellion based?

The east

What was the outcome of Kett's Rebellion?

Defeated by the Earl of Warwick with 4000 deaths from both sides

What long-term issues contributed to the rebellions during Edward VI's reign?

Sheep tax, grazing, abuse of tenants

How did the rebellions under Somerset threaten the government?

They threatened a breakdown of government in two regions

Government under Somerset - Edward VI 1547 - 1550

• Somerset took charge of the Regency Council and gained titles of Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector.

• Appointed his closest supporters to the Pricy Council at the expense of conservatives which caused him to make enemies increasingly.

• Somerset's weak response to the rebellions enabled the Earl of Warwick to strike. Warwick's 1549 coup removed Somerset from power. He was executed on charges of treason in 1552.

Who took charge of the Regency Council during Edward VI's reign from 1547 to 1550?

Somerset

What titles did Somerset gain while serving as Lord Protector?

Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector

What was the consequence of Somerset appointing his closest supporters to the Privy Council?

He made enemies among the conservatives.

What was Somerset's response to the rebellions during his rule?

He had a weak response.

Who removed Somerset from power in 1549?

The Earl of Warwick

What happened to Somerset after his removal from power?

He was executed on charges of treason in 1552.

Government under Northumberland - Edward VI 1550 - 1553

• Wanted to avoid the concentration of power as this had brought Somerset down.

• Northumberland's ally, Gates, Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, had possession of the dry stamp with which he could attach the king's signature to documents.