13-Edward VI, Somerset and Northumberland

General Edward

Who Governed During Edward's Reign

  • The Seymours: Somerset (Edward Seymour).

  • The Dudleys: Northumberland (John Dudley).

Edward's Relation to Key Figures

  • Duke of Somerset:

    • Edward Seymour (Duke of Somerset) was Jane Seymour's brother and Edward VI’s uncle.

    • Married to Anne Stanhope.

    • Brother to Thomas Seymour, who was married to Katherine Parr.

  • Duke of Northumberland:

    • John Dudley (Duke of Northumberland) was the son of Edmund Dudley.

    • Married to Jane Guildford.

    • Father of Robert Dudley and Guildford Dudley (the latter married Lady Jane Grey).

    • Lady Jane Grey’s parents: Henry Grey and Frances Brandon.

    • Frances Brandon’s parents (Lady Jane Grey’s grandparents): Mary Tudor (Henry VIII’s sister) and Charles Brandon.

Edward’s Childhood

  • Love and Affection:

    • Until age six, Edward was cared for “among the women” (his words) by his nurse, Mother Jack.

    • Jane Seymour died shortly after his birth; later stepmothers (until Katherine Parr) had little involvement.

    • Katherine Parr became a mother figure.

    • Henry VIII had a traditional, distant relationship with Edward.

  • Attendants:

    • Surrounded by personal servants, including his Calvinist French tutor, Jean Belmain.

    • Always protected: three gentlemen and five grooms always present. Contact sports were forbidden.

Edward’s Character

  • Interests:

    • Studious, intelligent, and devout.

    • Interests likened to trainspotting. Enjoyed hunting, rackets, archery, observing jousting, and horse riding.

  • Personality:

    • Serious—only recorded to laugh twice.

    • Cold—terse diary mentions of family deaths, including his uncle and grandmother.

    • Distrustful and vindictive, warm only toward his friend Barnaby Fitzpatrick.

  • Health:

    • Relatively healthy until February 1553.

    • Chest infection developed into fatal septicaemia.

Education

  • Began in 1543 and ended in June 1552.

  • Tutors: Richard Coxe and John Cheke, both Protestant humanists.

  • Edward’s whipping boy: Barnaby Fitzpatrick.

  • Encouraged to enjoy learning: developed interests in logic, natural philosophy, and astronomy.

  • Groomed in manners, fencing, horsemanship, and hunting.

Timeline of Power

  • 1537: Born (12 Oct).

  • 1547: Accession at age 9 (28 Jan).

  • 1549: Somerset’s Protectorate dissolved (31 Oct).

  • 1550: Northumberland became Lord President of the Council (21 Feb).

  • 1553: Changed will to name Lady Jane Grey as successor (12 June).

  • 1553: Died (6 July).

Challenges to Accession

  • Religious divisions.

  • Ruined crown finances from wars with France and Scotland.

  • Coinage debasement caused inflation and declining real incomes.

  • Crown sold monastic lands at a discount, compromising long-term security.

Somerset

Path to Power

  • 1537: Became Earl of Hertford (Oct).

  • 1547: Became Duke of Somerset (16 Feb).

  • 1547–1549: Lord Protector (31 Jan – 31 Oct).

How He Governed

  • Relied on his own household, appointing Sir Michael Stanhope as Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to control it.

  • Governed largely without input from the Privy Council, causing resentment.

  • Earl of Southampton arrested early on due to factional rivalries.

  • Feared breakdown of law and order.

Key Challenges

  • Factional rivalries:

    • Thomas Seymour plotted against him with the Earl of Southampton but was executed (20 Mar 1549).

  • Policy failures:

    • Mismanaged rebellions of 1549.

    • Foreign policy failures, especially with Scotland.

  • Resentment:

    • His dictatorial manner created enemies, particularly Southampton and Earl of Warwick.

Downfall

  • Feeble response to 1549 rebellions gave Warwick the chance to strike.

  • Somerset was removed and executed in 1552 (21 Jan).

Northumberland

Path to Power

  • 1547: Became Earl of Warwick (Feb).

  • 1550: Became Lord President of the Council (21 Feb).

  • 1551: Promoted to Duke of Northumberland (11 Oct).

How He Governed

  • Avoided excessive concentration of power to prevent Somerset’s fate.

  • Acted as Lord President of the Council.

  • Gained control of the court by appointing Sir John Gates as Vice-Chamberlain.

  • Expelled Earl of Southampton and sidelined Sir William Paget.

  • Key administrator: William Cecil (after imprisonment).

Challenges to His Rule

  • Conservatives supported him initially, hoping for a regency under Princess Mary.

  • Consolidated power after a second coup, targeting conservatives.

  • Somerset’s attempted counter-coup failed, leading to his execution.

Shift Toward Authoritarianism

  • Became less conciliar after Somerset’s coup attempt.

  • Increased reliance on loyalists like Gates, who controlled the King’s dry stamp (allowing him to approve documents).

  • Presumed enemies were removed, including Paget (sent to the Tower).

Succession Problems

  • Henry VIII’s Will:

    • Stipulated Edward would be succeeded by Princess Mary if he died childless.

  • Northumberland’s Alteration:

    • Attempted to name Lady Jane Grey as successor (Edward’s will).

  • Outcome:

    • Failed plan tarnished Northumberland’s reputation.