Edward VI- Inheritance and problems of minority

Henry’s wishes for the regency council

a membership balanced equally between conservatives and progressives whose membership could not be altered and no single person was leader

When did Henry VIII die

28th January 1547

Conservative faction

lead by Duke of Norfolk, favoured traditional catholic practices and doctrine and the King consulting nobles rather than new men

Progressive faction

Led by Edward Seymour, favoured religious reform and the adoption of aspects of continental Protestantism

religious situation on his accession

doctrines were full of inconsistency due to compromises made over the years and were unacceptable to both factions

legacy of Henry VIII’s doctrines

a toxic mix of diluted Lutheranism mixed with enlightenment Catholicism which everyone hated

Diplomatic situation on Edward’s succession

uneasy peace and costly defence of recent English victories

overall inheritance of Edward in 1547

a kingdom divided over religion, in financial difficulty and suffering from rampant inflation and the threat of a strengthened Auld Alliance

Content of Henry’s will in 1546

If Edward was to die with no heirs then the throne would pass to Mary, then Elizabeth and if she dies with no heir then Frances Grey daughter of Princess Mary and Charles Brandon

Previous examples of minors on the throne

Richard II and Henry VI, both succeeded as children, ruled disastrously and were deposed

Three main issues caused by a minor on the throne

• unable to lead troops into war

• unable to control faction

• unable to secure the succession for many years

Possible consequences of a minor on the throne

threat of civil war like the WoR if factional struggle intensified and a child king was unable to control it

A king without an heir for many years makes his relatives more powerful

what was promising about the situation in 1547

Edward was a bright, serious and learned child when he came to the throne and was not sickly so there was every expectation that he would reach adulthood and secure the throne for decades to come

Evidence of Edward getting involved in policy himself

March 1551 he told Mary she could no longer hear mass in her household

Somerset’s Coup d’etat

as Henry lay dying, Paget and Edward Seymour agreed that contrary to Henry’s wishes, the earl would take power as lord protector

was Somerset’s coup violent

no, Paget and Seymour bribed other councillors with titles, offices and financial rewards so it was a bloodless handover of power