duke of northumberland

why is the duke of northumberland characterised as an 'evil duke'?

involved in coup in 1549
ordered arrest and execution of somerset
hypocritical on religion - posed as catholic for coup, radical protestant, recanted back to catholicism on the scaffold
attempted to change succession to retain power

why is the duke of somerset characterised as a 'good duke'?

established court of requests at his own house to hear the cases of the poor
no tortures or burning
progressive social policy, abolishing enclosure and fixing rents
criticised wealthy men

how has historiography on the dukes of northumberland and somerset changed?

traditional view focuses more on personality and morals, whereas the revised view focuses more on their ability as leaders

what were the main crown expenditures under northumberland?

wars against scotland and france - ending these wars saved money

how did northumberland gain extra income?

from the church - melting silver from church - unscrupulous
kings debtors

how was northumberland's financial policy beneficial socially?

brought down food prices and therefore probably prevented a rebellion

1550 treaty of boulogne

england gave up control of boulogne in return for 400,000 francs
marriage agreed between edward and elizabeth, henry ii's daughter, which never happen
english troops leave scotland
england and france form a defensive alliance
england abandons claim to french throne

what were the disadvantages of the treaty of boulogne?

capture had been a great victory for henry viii - returning it was damaging to national pride
french troops in scotland remained a threat to england

what were the advantages of the treaty of boulogne?

saved significant funds by no longer maintaining an irrelevant outpost
french paid english £133,333 or 400,000 crowns - england was bankrupt
abandoning garrisons in scotland saved northumberland finances, and scotland had been an expensive mistake for somerset

what were relations with the HRE and charles v like under northumberland?

england had been allied with charles v against france under henry viii
charles was angered by the treaty of boulogne, the reformation, and harassment of mary tudor (his cousin) over her faith
northumberland resisted pressures from charles and pursued policy of neutrality

april 1550

trade breaks down between the netherlands and england as charles issues decree for protestant heretics to be arrested
charles was opposed to protestants, and most cloth traders were protestant

1551

embargo on cloth sales after rumours that charles was considering invasion of england

june 1552

economic pressures lead to improved trading relations

what was the situation northumberland inherited like?

england was bankrupt and northumberland needed support in court, while having little support form charles v
difficult situation with many options
ongoing issues with scotland and france were draining finances and boulogne was expensive to maintain

how did northumberland intend to improve england's situation?

prioritised the needs of england (and himself) and decides what is sustainable or not
secured defensive pacts, avoided war, and gained finance without losing national prestige (militaristically and financially england cannot afford a war)
england remained on the sidelines of european affairs during this time period

january 1550

new ordinal reformed
detailed ceremony followed when clergy were ordained

november 1550

removal of stone altars and replacement by wooden ones

january 1552 - new treason act

new treason act made it an offence to question royal supremacy or any articles of faith in the church

january 1552 - second book of common prayer

highly protestant document removing all traces of catholicism and establishing a eucharist ceremony
prayers for the dead and wearing of vestments removed
still opposed by some reformers
finishing point of english reformation