Edward VI - Duke of Northumberland

Background

Father was Edmund Dudley, council learned member who was hated by the people and execute under Henry VIII.

Skilled soldier

Joined Privy council in 1553

Earl of Warwick and Lord chamberlain

Foreign policy

Brough and end to the wars with Scotland and France by giving Boulogne for 400,000 crowns back to the French. Despite many in England thinking it was a disgrace.

Negotiated a treaty between France for Edward to marry Elizabeth the daughter of henry II of France. France would get a dowry of 200,000 crowns and England would be neutral in foreign wars.

Marriage treaty angered Charles V the Holy roman emperor

Secured the Scottish border line

Encouraged explores to discover new routes

made links with the tsar of Muscovy

Economy

Reduced crown expenditure and raised £133,333 following sale of Boulogne

reintubated monastic lands and made the Exchequer/treasury more efficient

by 1553 royal debt was reduced to £180,000

passed legislation to increase tax

Cloth trade in Antwerp collapsed

Religion

Adopted extremely Protestant views

Supported radicals who spread the word of Protestantism

Thomas Cranmer wrote and published a new book of common prayer in 1552

church music was restricted and ceremonies simplified

Forty two articles of religion was introduced

Social policy

By 1551 Northumberland had taken action to control stocks of grain to relieve crisis of harvest failure

used lord lieutenants and retainers of trusted nobles to keep law and order

number of poor were still growing and food prices increased by 10%

Northumberland didn’t continue with Somerset anti-enclosure measures

bad harvests in 1550 and 1551

Government

Utilised factors to help him rise to power

appointed himself Duke of Northumberland

Initially ruled collectively via a privy council

gained control of the dry stamp and kings signature allowing him to rule alone

became unpopular except for Edward which kept him safe

Edwards illness from 1552 led to Northumberland trying to change the succession to put lady Jane Grey on the throne

Downfall

Attempted to change succession and was executed by Mary along with Lady Jane Grey

Overall

Had more success than Somerset and achieved p[peace with France and Scotland

Weaken financial status of the monarch by given away crown lands

Used radical protestant measures to stay in power but declaring himself as a catholic under Mary