13-Edward VI, Somerset and Northumberland

Scotland

Somerset (1547–1549)

• Inherited Policy: Somerset continued Henry VIII's aggressive policy, focusing on asserting the ancient claim of Edward I to the Scottish throne.

• Key Objective: Enforce the marriage between Edward VI and Mary, Queen of Scots, to unite the crowns of England and Scotland.

• Approach:

  • Prioritized Scotland over France, unlike Henry VIII.

  • Strategy:

    • Defeat Scotland in battle.

    • Build and garrison forts in the borders and southern Scotland.

    • Force submission from Scotland.

  • Successes:

    • Victory at the Battle of Pinkie, September 1547.

  • Failures:

    • Difficulty and expense in garrisoning forts.

    • Inability to capture key castles (e.g., Dunbar, Edinburgh).

    • Underestimated Scottish-French cooperation; French relieved Edinburgh and gained control of Mary, Queen of Scots.

    • Mary was taken to France in August 1548 to marry the Dauphin, aligning Scotland and France further.

Northumberland (1550–1553)

• Policy Shift: Ended hostilities with Scotland to focus on financial stability.

• Outcome:

  • Abandoned remaining English garrisons in Scotland.

  • Prioritized financial benefits over concerns about French influence in Scottish affairs.

France

Somerset (1547–1549)

• Relationship: Deteriorated during Somerset’s rule.

• Key Issues:

  • Failed military efforts in Scotland emboldened France.

  • By 1549, Somerset faced threats of war and a potential French invasion of southern England, compounding his vulnerability during domestic rebellions.

Northumberland (1550–1553)

• Policy Shift: Ended war with France to stabilize finances.

• Outcome:

  • Forced to return Boulogne to France:

    • Seen as a humiliating defeat.

    • Improved finances significantly, as France paid £133,333 to recover Boulogne.

  • Occupation of Boulogne had been a constant drain on resources, so its loss was a practical benefit.

Key Contrasts Between Somerset and Northumberland

• Somerset:

  • Focused on aggressive expansion and military dominance, particularly in Scotland.

  • Policies were financially unsustainable and politically unsuccessful.

  • Heightened tensions with France and Scotland, leaving England vulnerable.

• Northumberland:

  • Prioritized financial recovery over territorial ambitions.

  • Ended costly wars and stabilized the Crown’s finances.

  • Pragmatically abandoned costly garrisons and fortresses.