The boy had no direct involvement in government and limited pocket money but a thorough education
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Edwards VI's role in government
Edward VI is often remembered as a weak and sickly boy
It is difficult to tell how much influence Edward VI had in governing the kingdom
He was particularly interested in England’s religious settlement
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Somerset the Lord Protector
The reformist faction was in the strongest position when Henry VII died
Somerset was popular in 1547 after his victories against Scotland. Soon after Henry’s death, the Regency Council gave it’s power to Somerset.
Somerset rapidly took control of Edward and made himself Lord Protector
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Somerset Regency Council
Somerset rapidly promoted his own supporters to the Regency Council. Somerset’s supporters included: Thomas Seymour, John Dudley, Earl of Warwick; Archbishop of Canterbury Cranmer; Sir William Paget; Sir Thomas Wriothesley; and the Earl of Arundel.
The Regency council met in somerset’s home, Somerset house. So he was able to control who had contact with his government. His retainers guarded him.
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How Somerset ruled
Somerset ruled England using the dry stamp(Research this )
In Henry VII’s last years, dry stamp had been used a great deal so this was not a sudden change.
The1539 Proclamations Actsaid proclamations had equal force as statute Law
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Somerset's religious Policy
Somerset had a tricky balancing act to please reformists and traditionalists, Protestants and Catholic .
The Book of Common Prayer and the Act of Uniformity of 1549 were vague in the hope of being all things to all worshippers.
Some key protestant steps were taken:
Dissolving Chantries (Financial need)
Acting against ornaments and images (Protestant pressure in London)
Clergy were again allowed to marry(enabling more protestant clergy)
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Somerset's Downfall
Somerset’s downfall was largely due to his failure to deal with the 1549 Rebellion (Kett’s rebellion)
Somerset had also alienated many in the Regency Council
Somerset’s foreign policy was costly and ineffective
Somerset’s power declined following 1549,with the duke of Northumberland gaining power and influence in his place.
By 1552, Somerset was arrested, tried for treason and executed.
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Duke of Northumberland
Northumberland took religion in a much more Protestant direction.
January 1552: Treason Act- Questioning either the Royal Supremacy and the beliefs of the English Church became an offence.
January 1552: Second Act of uniformity- Attendance at church of England services became compulsory.
1552 Prayer Book-All traces of Catholicism and the Catholic mass removed, including transubstantiation( a core Catholic belief about Holy Communion)
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was Northumberland a hypocrite
Northumberland used Catholic/ conservative support to become Lord President of the Privy Council. Those men then lost their positions.
Northumberland oversaw Protestants changes though confessing himself to be a catholic on the scaffold
Northumberland was governing in the name of Edward VI, who was a strong Protestant. Northumberland was being a good servant
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financial policies
Arguably, Northumberland’s most important priority was to stabilise England after the turmoil of Somerset’s rule.
Northumberland tried to pay off England debts. This was through selling off chantry lands (owned by priests before the Henrician Reformation)
Ending debasement
Increasing Crown revenue through trade expansion and raising custom duties.
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Northumberlands approach to financial policies
Northumberland wanted to stabilize the economy
Northumberland tried to pay off the country’s debts.
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