Edward VI & Authority

Question 1

Why was Edward’s authority limited?

Answer 1

The Regency Council ruled England.

Question 2

What was Edward’s image?

Answer 2

• Tried to copy his father and emphasise his Tudor heritage. But there were clear limitations because he was just a boy.
• Edward VI and his ministers crafted him as a second Josiah (a king in the Old Testament who pursued religious reform). This allowed him to emphasise his Protestant agenda.

Question 3

What was in the Succession Act 1544?

Answer 3

• Edward VI was first in line to be king. Next in line was Mary, then Elizabeth.
• Henry VIII had excluded the Howards (the Duke of Norfolk’s family) who could potentially influence the boy king and reverse the Royal Supremacy because they were Catholic.

Question 4

Why was there a succession crisis?

Answer 4

• In the winter of 1553, Edward VI became seriously ill with a chest affliction.
• Next in line to the throne was Mary. But as a Catholic and a woman, she was considered a threat.

Question 5

What was the problem with Mary becoming Queen?

Answer 5

• She would be England’s first queen regnant (a monarch in her own right, not through her husband). It was thought unnatural for a woman to govern.
• Mary was a Catholic and close to the Holy Roman Empire (Charles V was her cousin).
• She would undo the Protestant changes put through by Northumberland. He would be in danger of losing at least his position.

Question 6

Who wrote the ‘Devise’ and what was it?

Answer 6

• Edward VI, but he was not old enough to legally change the succession.
• It bypassed Mary and Elizabeth and instead passed the throne to Lady Jane Grey and her ‘heirs male.’

Question 7

What did Northumberland do that made his intentions suspicious?

Answer 7

Lady Jane Grey married Northumberland’s son, Guildford Dudley, six weeks before Edward died.

Question 8

What happened when LJG became Queen?

Answer 8

• There was little support for Lady Jane Grey’s claim to the throne (only being recognised in London, Kings Lynn and Berwick).
• Mary was in East Anglia as events unfolded. Most people backed her as the rightful heir. For most, the law was more important than religion.
• Seeing this change, Northumberland surrendered to Mary near Cambridge.
• The Duke of Northumberland and Lady Jane Grey were executed.