Tudors 3.13-8 - Instability and the mid-Tudor crisis (A-level history)

When did Edward ascend the throne?

1547

Who were Edward VI's protectors?

Somerset and Northumberland

What were the problems facing Edward upon his accession?

The country was divided on religious grounds; crown finances had been spent in wars with France and Scotland; debasement of coinage; the crown had compromised its long-term security by selling off the monastic lands for fast cash.

What government did Henry set up on his deathbed for Edward?

A regency council comprised of 16 members and an extra 12 to assist as required

What were the problems with the Regency council?

The great families felt under-represented and the council was factional and didn't last long

How did Somerset rise to power?

By usurping the council and giving himself complete control

How did Somerset's regency fail?

Mismanagement of foreign policy; mismanagement of the 1549 rebellions; an arrogant and dictatorial style of rulership that made him many enemies

Outline the fall of Somerset.

August 1549 - Warwick and Southampton staged a coup. They tried to secure the support of Mary, but failed.

October 1549 - they confronted Somerset, who retreated to Windsor with Edward, but surrendered when promised there would be no treason charges. Warwick took over power.

How did Northumberland's rule differ from Somerset's?

He did not declare himself protectorate, but instead 'Lord President of the Council'

What title did Warwick give himself as Lord President?

The Duke of Northumberland

How did Northumberland deal with conservatives?

He got them to support his rise to power, then staged a second coup against them.

Why did Northumberland stage a second coup?

Unclear. Either it was part of a long game or he was afraid of their power and acted spontaneously out of fear.

How did Northumberland assert his control over the court?

By appointing a Vice-Chamberlain, Sir John Gates

Now was Northumberland's rulership regarded by historians?

Badly

How effective was Northumberland's government?

Quite; he restored stability after the tumult of Somerset, but following a counter-coup, became increasingly dictatorial in his approach. His reputation remains tarnished by his plans to alter the succession.

What was the 'Devyse'?

Northumberland's plan to alter the succession by placing Lady Jane Grey as next in line to the throne.

When were Mary and Elizabeth declared illegitimate?

1553

When did Edward die?

August 1553

Outline Somerset's foreign policy.

A catastrophe - he was obsessed with fighting Scotland and lost every time, draining crown finances and angering the people with the subsequent raised taxes.

Why did the Scottish campaign fail?

Somerset underestimated the strength of the Auld Alliance and got clobbered by France and Scotland respectively. The crown could also not afford his abrasive strategy and went broke.

When was the Battle of Pinkie?

1547

Why was the Battle of Pinkie unusual?

The English won

When did Mary Queen of Scots marry the Dauphin?

1548. This strengthened the Auld Alliance

How did Northumberland reform foreign policy?

He ended the war/s by offering Boulogne to France and abandoned the Scottish garrisons. He was also able to procure £133,333 from France. Though this may seem like a humiliating defeat, it lessened the strain on resources and was vastly financially beneficial for the country

When was the book of common prayer introduced?

May 1549

When was the denunciation of images in London?

February 1547

When were the injunctions issued?

July 1547

When was the dissolution of chantries and religious guilds?

December 1547

What was Northumberland's religious strategy?

To continue Somerset's protestant reforms and to plunder the wealth of the church.

What was the trend in religious reform across Edward's reign?

A movement towards more radical Protestantism.

What was Zwinglianism?

The belief that the Eucharist was merely symbolic and that there was no transformation of the bread and wine.

What were Cranmer's Forty-Two Articles of Religion?

Written in June 1553 and aimed to secure the more radical path of the church. Edward died before they could be implemented, but a revised Thirty-Nine articles were adopted under Elizabeth.

What was the effect of reform on the Church?

Church expenditure went down significantly from 1540 and fewer people left it money in their wills.

What did Hooper say about reform in 1550?

That its pace was hampered by an uncooperative public.

What economic problems were faced by Somerset?

Inflation; agrarian issues such as enclosure and harvest failure; taxation

What happened in 1558 that reinforced economic pressures?

A poor harvest

How did Somerset try to deal with enclosure, and how did it backfire?

By imposing a tax on sheep. However, some small farmers relied on sheep for subsistence, and the law propelled them into further poverty.

Why did rebellion break out in 1549?

religious discontent; agrarian and social reasons; taxation and economic problems

When was the Western Rebellion?

Summer 1549

What were the reasons behind the Western Rebellion?

Outrage at Cranmer's new prayer book, fear regarding religious reform and resentment of the sheep tax and local authority figures.

How was the Western Rebellion defeated?

Lord Russell advanced on their base in Clyst Heath, Exeter and won. The rest were defeated at Sampford Courtenay.

When was Kett's Rebellion?

Summer 1549

What were the reasons behind Kett's Rebellion?

Hatred of local government officials (especially the Howards), resentment regarding the Norfolk foldcourse, religious resentment and class antagonism.

How was Kett's rebellion defeated?

The rebels took Norwich and Northampton failed to recapture it. Northumberland led his forces, who overpowered them Kett was Hanged

What was intellectual development like under Edward?

Humanism persisted, although weakened by religious divisions, pioneered by Erasmus and Cecil at the University of Cambridge. Lutheranism prevailed , despite increasing antagonism between Cranmer and Northumberland, though Edward's death put a halt to this.

For how long was Lady Jane Grey queen?

Nine days

When did Mary I ascend the throne?

1553

How did the 'Devyse' fail?

Few people were willing to accept Jane as queen and backed Mary as the true heir to the throne. She marched to London flanked by supporters and was popularly declared queen.

What problems did Mary face upon her ascension?

Poor crown finances due to debasement and war; religious divisions; a lack of knowledge on how to rule a kingdom; her gender.

What was Mary's council like?

She appointed 50 councillors, but fewer than ten had any real influence

What was government like under Mary?

Mary did not get on with her government and reforms were often only implemented in cases of personal gain. She also argued with parliament over her marriage and the succession.

When did Mary marry Philip?

July 1554

Why were parliament against the Spanish marriage?

Because they feared England would be drawn into Spain's wars and become a mere extension of the Spanish empire.

What were the conditions of the Spanish marriage?

Philip could not exercise kingly power; no foreigners would be permitted to hold English office; if Mary predeceased Philip he was not entitled to the English crown.

Why was Mary reluctant to place Elizabeth in the line of succession?

Because she was a Protestant.

What was Mary's policy towards the succession.

Mary had two phantom pregnancies, and once it became clear she would not have children, she was forced to accept Elizabeth as next in line to the throne

What were Mary's foreign policy aims?

To marry Philip and restore Papal supremacy

How did England become involved in the Franco-Spanish war?

In May 1555, Paul IV was elected as Pope, and he hated the Spanish. The papacy and France went to war with Spain, which threatened England as a Spanish ally. When French troops landed in Scarborough, Mary had no choice but to go to war.

When did England declare war on France?

June 1557

How did the French campaign go?

It started promisingly, but soon dissolved into failure, culminating with the loss of Calais in 1558.

How did Mary reform the navy?

By repairing ships. Had peace continued, she would have allocated it £14,000. Not all reforms were implemented, but they laid the foundations for Elizabeth's triumph in the Spanish Armada in 1558.

What religious problems did Mary face upon her ascension?

England had a strong Protestant minority; the Protestant church was protected under statute law; many political elites had benefitted from the dissolution of the monasteries.

What changes were made in the October 1553 parliament?

Religious laws passed under Edward were repealed; the order of service under Henry VIII was restored; all married clergy were deprived of their earnings; but the legal status of the church was upheld.

What dilemma did Mary face regarding religious reform?

She had to acknowledge that statute law held supremacy over canon la, which went against her own fundamental beliefs.

Who was Cardinal Pole?

Papal legate until April 1557, when he was dismissed by Paul IV

Why were the monastic lands not restored?

Because too many noblemen had profited from their sale, and Mary could not afford to alienate their support and cause discontent amongst the nobility.

When and what was the Act of Repeal?

1555; repealed anti-papal legislation back to Henry VIII

When were the first burnings for herasy?

March 1556

What was Foxe's Book of Martyrs?

A documentation of all those burned at the stake under Mary, first published in 1563.

How many Protestants were burned at the stake?

289

Were the burnings successful?

Not particularly; killing people made them martyrs and beacons of sympathy that have cemented Mary's vilified image in history. Had Mary's government been stronger, they may have succeeded, but they only worsened her reputation.

What reforms were suggested by Pole, and why were they never implemented?

That the resources of the church needed to be restored and Bishops should remain within their dioceses. Cathedrals should have a seminary attached for the training of new recruits to the priesthood. However, Pole was dismissed in 1556 and Mary died two years later, and nothing actually happened.

What were the economic problems facing Mary upon her ascension?

Population increase; the debasement of coinage; harvest failures in 1555-6; the plague of sweating sickness in 1557-8

What financial reforms did Mary make?

The Court of Exchequer absorbed the Court of First Fruits and Tenths and Court of Augmentations, that had previously dealt with funds from the papacy and monastic lands. She also drew up plans to combat inflation, but died before they could be fully implemented.

How did Mary help poor relief?

By passing laws against 'grain hoarders' during years of poor harvest

When was the Wyatt Rebellion?

1554

What were the reasons behind the Wyatt Rebellion?

Religious motivations; xenophobia regarding the Spanish marriage; decline of the cloth industry; discontent amongst the gentry

Why was the Wyatt Rebellion significant?

It showed that, even though they were a minority, Protestants should not be ignored; it demonstrated the unpopularity of the Spanish marriage; it resulted in the execution of Lady Jane Grey

How as the Wyatt Rebellion defeated?

Wyatt's forces marched from Norfolk to Ludgate, but were forced to surrender. Mary confined Elizabeth to the tower, convinced of her involvement and executed Lady Jane Grey.

What happened to humanism under Mary I?

It declined

What happened to Protestantism under Mary I?

It became illegal and subsequently factional