OCR Specification focus:
‘the rebellions of 1553 (Lady Jane Grey) and 1554 (Wyatt)’
The mid-Tudor period saw political instability fuelled by questions of succession and religious divisions, producing plots and rebellions that threatened the monarchy’s survival.
Lady Jane Grey and the Succession Crisis of 1553
Context of Edward VI’s Succession
When Edward VI fell gravely ill in early 1553, the problem of succession became critical. The Third Succession Act (1543–44) had restored both Mary and Elizabeth to the line of succession, but Edward, a committed Protestant, and his chief ministers feared the return of Catholicism under his half-sister Mary. This anxiety shaped events that followed.
The Devise for the Succession
Edward’s attempt to alter the succession produced the Devise for the Succession, a document excluding Mary and Elizabeth in favour of the Protestant Lady Jane Grey.
Manuscript page of Edward VI’s Devise for the Succession (1553). The interlined phrase changing “L. Jane’s heires masles” to “L. Jane and her heires masles” demonstrates how the king tried to make Jane herself the immediate heir. Minor deletions and marginalia are visible and are not required by the syllabus but attest to the document’s drafting process. Source
Northumberland’s Role
John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, was instrumental in implementing this plan. He married Jane to his son, Guildford Dudley, in May 1553, strengthening his political control. Critics argued that Northumberland was motivated by ambition, yet Edward’s own determination to prevent Mary’s succession was a significant driving force.
The Nine Days’ Queen
On Edward’s death (6 July 1553), Jane was proclaimed queen on 10 July. Despite proclamations and oaths of loyalty, her regime lacked broad support. The majority of political elites, though initially cautious, rallied to Mary once she asserted her claim. Key reasons for Mary’s success included:
Legal legitimacy: Mary’s right derived directly from the parliamentary Succession Act and Henry VIII’s will.
Popular support: Many preferred the legitimate Tudor heir over a usurper.
Religious sentiment: Catholics, and some conservative Protestants, welcomed Mary’s cause.
By 19 July, Jane’s support collapsed, and Mary was proclaimed queen in London. Jane was imprisoned in the Tower, later executed in February 1554 after Wyatt’s rebellion gave Mary reason to view her as a continuing threat.
Wyatt’s Rebellion, 1554
Causes of the Rebellion
Wyatt’s rebellion arose in response to Mary I’s proposed marriage to Philip of Spain. Opposition centred on fears of:
Foreign domination: England risked becoming subordinate to Habsburg interests.
Religious change: Protestant gentry and clergy feared restoration of Catholicism.
Factional politics: Some nobles, including Sir Thomas Wyatt of Kent, exploited these tensions to challenge Mary’s authority.
Underlying discontent over economic hardship and local grievances also played a role, but the marriage issue was the spark.
Plans and Leadership
The conspiracy, involving multiple rising points (Devon, Leicestershire, Kent), collapsed when plots in other regions failed to materialise. Kent became the epicentre under Wyatt’s leadership, who mobilised around 3,000 supporters.
The Course of the Rebellion
January 1554: News of the plot forced rebels into premature action.
Wyatt gathered forces in Maidstone before advancing on London.
Mary, showing remarkable resolve, delivered a rallying speech at Guildhall, framing herself as a legitimate Tudor and English queen threatened by traitors and foreign influence.
Londoners remained loyal, and Wyatt’s forces faltered at Ludgate. He surrendered soon after.
The Agas Map (c.1561) is a detailed bird’s-eye view of London. Zoom to the City wall west of St Paul’s to locate Ludgate, and north-east to find the Guildhall—key places referenced in the 1554 climax. The map contains many additional landmarks beyond the syllabus, included here only to provide precise spatial context. Source
Consequences of the Rebellion
The rebellion’s failure consolidated Mary’s power:
Executions: Wyatt was executed in April 1554, alongside other conspirators. Lady Jane Grey was executed soon after, despite her earlier reprieve, as her existence made her a potential figurehead for Protestant resistance.
Elizabeth’s position: Mary’s half-sister Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower under suspicion of complicity, though no clear evidence was found. Her survival owed much to lack of proof and her popular support.
Marriage to Philip: Despite opposition, Mary proceeded with the marriage in July 1554, though the rebellion highlighted deep unease about Spanish influence.
Significance of the Political Plots
Threat to Monarchical Stability
Both the Lady Jane Grey affair and Wyatt’s rebellion underscored the fragility of the monarchy:
Succession disputes revealed the tension between dynastic legitimacy and religious conviction.
Rebellion against Mary exposed vulnerabilities created by unpopular policies, particularly concerning religion and foreign marriage.
Religious and Political Dimensions
Lady Jane Grey’s usurpation was tied directly to the defence of Protestantism, reflecting the deep entanglement of faith and succession.
Wyatt’s rebellion demonstrated how political fears about sovereignty were fused with religious concerns, as Protestants resisted Catholic restoration and foreign alignment.
Longer-Term Impact
These crises reinforced certain themes of Tudor governance:
The importance of legitimacy and popular recognition in securing rule.
The danger of factional manipulation in succession matters.
The need for monarchs to balance personal policy preferences with political reality.
Ultimately, the events of 1553–54 highlighted the precarious nature of Tudor authority, foreshadowing Elizabeth’s careful management of both succession anxieties and religious divisions in the decades that followed.
FAQ
Jane was a committed Protestant and the great-granddaughter of Henry VII through his daughter Mary Tudor, giving her some dynastic legitimacy.
She was also married into the Dudley family, strengthening the political influence of Northumberland. Choosing Jane ensured continuity of Edward’s Protestant reforms while bypassing Mary and Elizabeth, whose Catholic and disputed legitimacy respectively were seen as dangerous to Edward’s religious vision.
Popular support was decisive. While many political elites initially hesitated, ordinary people in East Anglia and London rallied to Mary because:
She was Henry VIII’s legitimate daughter, backed by statute.
Catholic sentiment remained strong in many regions.
Jane’s claim was seen as a manipulation by ambitious nobles.
This groundswell of support gave Mary military and political momentum, forcing Jane’s collapse.
Mary I used speeches and proclamations to frame Wyatt as a traitor acting against English sovereignty.
Her Guildhall speech stressed her legitimacy and presented the rebels as enemies of national independence.
The regime circulated accounts exaggerating Wyatt’s links to Protestant conspirators, heightening fear of religious disorder.
The emphasis on Mary’s courage and patriotism contrasted with Wyatt’s alleged treachery, strengthening her authority.
The rebellion’s plans relied on risings in multiple counties, but most collapsed quickly.
Devon and Leicestershire failed due to poor organisation and swift government intervention.
Many nobles and gentry feared the consequences of opposing a crowned queen.
Economic grievances were not sufficient to mobilise wider regions beyond Kent.
Without simultaneous uprisings, Wyatt’s force lacked the numbers and momentum to succeed.
Elizabeth’s survival during both crises strengthened her reputation.
In 1553, she stayed cautiously neutral, which helped preserve her position after Mary triumphed.
In 1554, her imprisonment following Wyatt’s rebellion increased her profile as a Protestant alternative to Mary.
Sympathy for Elizabeth grew, as she was viewed as a victim of her sister’s suspicion.
These events reinforced Elizabeth as a politically viable heir, boosting her long-term credibility.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
Who was proclaimed queen of England on 10 July 1553 following the death of Edward VI?
Mark Scheme
1 mark for identifying Lady Jane Grey.
1 additional mark for giving the exact date (10 July 1553) or stating that she is often referred to as the "Nine Days’ Queen".
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain two reasons why Wyatt’s Rebellion of 1554 posed a serious threat to Mary I’s rule.
Mark Scheme
Award up to 3 marks per reason explained.
Foreign marriage fears (up to 3 marks):
1 mark for identifying opposition to Mary’s proposed marriage to Philip of Spain.
1 mark for noting fears of England becoming subordinate to Habsburg Spain.
1 mark for explaining that this could undermine national independence and legitimacy of Mary’s rule.
Religious concerns (up to 3 marks):
1 mark for identifying Protestant fears of Catholic restoration.
1 mark for noting that many rebels were Protestant gentry or clergy opposed to Mary’s policies.
1 mark for explaining that this threatened Mary’s religious settlement and could destabilise the kingdom.
Other valid reasons may include:
The rebellion’s proximity to London and direct threat at Ludgate (up to 3 marks if well explained).
The involvement of significant political figures like Sir Thomas Wyatt (up to 3 marks if well explained).
Maximum 6 marks. Award marks flexibly for well-developed explanation showing clear understanding of threat.
