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.