Edward VI & Authority

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Edward VI's Royal Authority

As a Regency Council ruled England, Edward VI's authority was limited.

Edward VI's independence

Historians have debated over how much independence Edward VI had.
It is clear that Edward VI took an interest in religious reform.
The selection of the Duke of Northumberland may have reflected Edward VI's Protestant aims.

Edward VI's image

Edward VI's image-making was central to conveying his authority.
Edward VI tried to copy his father and emphasise his Tudor heritage. But there were clear limitations because he was just a boy.
Henry VIII had presented himself as a strong, virile man. Edward VI could not as a pre-pubescent boy.
Instead, 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.

Problems of Succession in England

Edward VI's untimely death triggered a succession crisis in England. This was because Edward's successor, Mary, was a Catholic.

Succession Act 1544

As Henry VIII's sole male heir, Edward VI was first in line to be king. Next in line was Mary, then Elizabeth.
By this time, Yorkist claimants had been wiped out.
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.

Edward VI's untimely death

In the winter of 1553, Edward VI became seriously ill with a chest affliction.
It became clear that Edward would not survive.
Next in line to the throne was Mary. But as a Catholic and a woman, she was considered a threat.
This triggered a succession crisis.

The problem with Mary

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. It would be uncharted territory.
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 himself would be in danger of losing at least his position.

Northumberland's plan - or Edward's?

Most think Northumberland was behind the plan to put Lady Jane Grey (a Protestant) on the throne in place of Mary.
Edward agreed, or maybe was behind it? He wrote the ‘Devise’ to change the succession himself. This bypassed Mary and Elizabeth and instead passed the throne to Lady Jane Grey and her ‘heirs male.’
Edward was not actually old enough to legally change the succession.
Lady Jane Grey married Northumberland’s son, Guildford Dudley, six weeks before Edward died.

Queen for nine days

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.

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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