OCR Specification focus:
‘Faction and its impact during the rule of Somerset and Northumberland; factional conflict between Paget and Gardiner under Mary.’
The mid-Tudor period was characterised by political instability, rapid religious change, and rivalries within the ruling elite. Factional conflict under Somerset, Northumberland, Paget, and Gardiner shaped policy and governance between 1547 and 1558.
The Nature of Faction in Tudor Politics
Faction refers to political groupings within the ruling elite that competed for influence over the monarch and control of government policy. Under weak rulers or regencies, factions became more influential, often determining the success or failure of political initiatives.
Faction: A political grouping formed around powerful individuals or families, competing for influence at court and over the monarch’s decisions.
Factional rivalries were not simply personal but often tied to religious divisions, regional loyalties, and competing visions of government.
Faction under Edward VI: Somerset’s Rule
Somerset’s Rise to Power
Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, became Lord Protector in 1547 after Henry VIII’s death.
His power rested on his family connection (uncle to Edward VI), his military reputation, and his control of the Regency Council.
Governance and Opposition
Somerset pursued an authoritarian style of rule, bypassing the Privy Council and relying on proclamations.
His policies, particularly regarding religious reform and economic regulation, alienated both conservatives and reformers.
Factional rivals, such as the Earl of Southampton and Earl of Arundel, opposed his dominance.
Consequences
His failure in foreign policy (notably the costly war with Scotland) and inability to manage rebellions of 1549 (Western and Kett) weakened his authority.
These crises allowed a faction led by John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, to orchestrate Somerset’s arrest and eventual removal.
Faction under Edward VI: Northumberland’s Rule
Northumberland’s Consolidation of Power
Warwick (later Duke of Northumberland) replaced Somerset as the dominant political figure.
He initially presented himself as a restorer of stability, purging rivals and controlling the Privy Council more effectively.
Factional Management
Unlike Somerset, Northumberland adopted a conciliatory style, sharing authority within council structures to secure loyalty.
He balanced reformist factions with pragmatism, supporting radical Protestantism while also rewarding allies with titles and land.
Political Impact
Northumberland’s faction engineered the Devise for the Succession (1553) to secure Protestant dominance by naming Lady Jane Grey as Edward VI’s heir.
Edward VI’s holograph “Devise for the Succession” (1553). The page shows his alteration favouring Lady Jane Grey and “her heires masles,” underscoring Northumberland’s political project. Source
The failure of this succession plan after Edward’s death demonstrated the risks of relying on factional alliances, leading to Northumberland’s downfall.
Faction under Mary I: Paget and Gardiner
The Nature of Faction under Mary
Mary’s accession in 1553 shifted the balance of power, restoring conservative Catholic influence.
Two major figures emerged:
William Paget, a pragmatic politician, cautious about radical religious restoration.
Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor, advocating strong Catholic restoration and persecution of Protestants.
The Paget–Gardiner Divide
Paget’s Position: Advocated moderation, fearing that extreme religious change would provoke unrest and damage relations with Parliament.
Gardiner’s Position: Pushed for a firm return to Catholicism, including repeal of Edwardian reforms and revival of heresy laws.
Heresy Laws: Legal statutes that criminalised religious dissent, allowing for the persecution and execution of those who rejected the state faith.
Political and Religious Outcomes
Their conflict reflected broader divisions within Mary’s regime.
Paget often obstructed Gardiner’s religious legislation in the House of Lords, slowing its passage.
Gardiner secured the restoration of papal authority and initiated persecution of Protestants, but his sudden death in 1555 weakened the Catholic cause.
Stephen Gardiner (1483–1555), Bishop of Winchester. Painted in the sixteenth century, this portrait communicates Gardiner’s senior ecclesiastical status and political weight under Mary. Source
Paget remained influential in foreign and economic matters, particularly in supporting Mary’s marriage to Philip of Spain, though this too was controversial.
Portrait of William Paget, 1st Baron Paget (Netherlandish school, c.1549–1552). Paget’s statesmanlike depiction reflects his continuing influence across three reigns despite ideological headwinds. Source
Impact of Factional Conflict on Governance
Under Somerset
Factional opposition undermined Somerset’s authority, contributing to his overthrow.
His reliance on personal rule alienated potential allies, leaving him isolated.
Under Northumberland
Northumberland demonstrated more skill in managing faction, stabilising government temporarily.
However, his political manoeuvring over succession revealed the dangers of overreliance on factional support.
Under Mary
The conflict between Paget and Gardiner illustrated the deep religious divisions in Tudor politics.
Faction weakened Mary’s ability to govern effectively, as policy often stalled due to internal disputes.
The reliance on factional compromise contributed to instability during her reign.
Key Themes for Study
Faction and monarchy: Strong monarchs could balance factions, but weaker rulers allowed them to dominate politics.
Religion and politics: Factional conflict was inseparable from the religious upheavals of the mid-Tudor period.
Stability of the monarchy: The influence of Somerset, Northumberland, Paget, and Gardiner demonstrates how factional rivalries threatened continuity and stability between 1547 and 1558.
FAQ
Somerset bypassed the traditional structures of government, such as the Privy Council, and relied heavily on royal proclamations. This centralisation of authority alienated councillors who expected consultation and collective decision-making.
His perceived arrogance and reluctance to share power undermined his legitimacy, making it easier for rivals to unite against him.
Northumberland initially aligned with conservatives to remove Somerset, but once in control, he purged them and favoured reformers.
Key tactics included:
Expanding the size and role of the Privy Council to bind more members into his faction.
Building patronage networks through land and titles.
Presenting himself as Edward VI’s loyal servant, enhancing trust with the young king.
Paget was instrumental in supporting Mary’s marriage negotiations with Philip of Spain, seeing alliance with Habsburg Spain as politically and strategically beneficial.
However, he cautioned against overreliance on Spain and sought moderation to avoid alienating Parliament and the political elite. His balancing approach contrasted sharply with Gardiner’s focus on religion.
Gardiner was the leading Catholic statesman who pushed Mary towards religious conservatism and persecution of Protestants.
After his death, there was no equally powerful Catholic voice at court. This weakened the coherence of the conservative faction, leaving Mary more dependent on advisers less committed to radical Catholic policies.
Factional struggles:
Weakened central authority by encouraging rival claims to legitimacy (e.g., Devise for the Succession).
Distracted governments from effective policy-making.
Heightened divisions over religion, worsening unrest.
The result was a monarchy frequently undermined by disputes within its own ruling elite, threatening both Edward’s minority rule and Mary’s contested authority.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Name two leading figures involved in factional conflict under Mary I.
Mark scheme:
Award 1 mark for each correct name, up to a maximum of 2 marks.
Accept: William Paget, Stephen Gardiner.
Do not accept names from Edward VI’s reign such as Somerset or Northumberland.
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain two ways in which factional conflict affected the government of Edward VI.
Mark scheme:
Up to 3 marks for each explained way, with explanation required for full marks.
Indicative content may include:
Somerset’s dominance and authoritarian use of proclamations alienated other councillors, leading to his eventual overthrow (1 mark for identifying, 1 mark for detail, 1 mark for explanation of impact).
Northumberland’s management of the Privy Council stabilised government temporarily, but his attempt to impose Lady Jane Grey through the Devise for the Succession destabilised politics and led to his fall (1 mark for identifying, 1 mark for detail, 1 mark for explanation of impact).
Maximum of 6 marks available.
