The reign of Edward VI was marked by profound religious, political, and social changes, driven largely by those who governed in his name during his minority.
The Minority of Edward VI and the Crisis of Royal Authority
Edward’s Ascension and Age
Edward VI became king in 1547 at the age of nine, following the death of Henry VIII.
His minority created a power vacuum, which led to competition among nobles to dominate governance through the regency.
Minority Kingship
The concept of minority kingship posed challenges for Tudor royal authority, which traditionally relied on a strong, adult monarch.
Edward, being too young to rule independently, was unable to enforce royal will or mediate factional disputes, weakening the perceived stability of the monarchy.
The absence of a mature sovereign made the monarchy vulnerable to factional manipulation and policy shifts based on individual ambition rather than national interest.
The Duke of Somerset’s Regency (1547–1549)
Edward Seymour’s Rise
Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, was appointed Lord Protector due to his familial relationship (Edward’s uncle).
His rule was characterised by autocratic decision-making, often bypassing the Privy Council.
Domestic Policies
Introduced social and agrarian reforms, including attempts to address enclosure and poor relief through commissions.
However, these policies alienated landowners and failed to satisfy the poor, causing widespread dissatisfaction.
Governance Style
Somerset was seen as indecisive and lacking effective communication with other nobles.
His failure to balance reform with authority contributed to growing instability.
Foreign Relations Under Somerset
France and Scotland: Renewed Wars
Somerset revived Henry VIII’s policy of aggressive intervention in Scotland, aiming for the marriage of Edward VI to Mary, Queen of Scots (the ‘Rough Wooing’).
Successes such as the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh (1547) were short-lived, and the occupation of Scotland became expensive and unsustainable.
French intervention on Scotland’s behalf led to increased hostilities with France, culminating in the loss of Boulogne.
Military and Economic Strains
These foreign campaigns proved financially disastrous, contributing to a national economic crisis through excessive borrowing and coin debasement.
The Duke of Northumberland’s Ascendancy (1549–1553)
Rise to Power
John Dudley, Earl of Warwick (later Duke of Northumberland), overthrew Somerset in 1549 after widespread unrest and loss of confidence.
He initially acted as President of the Council, and unlike Somerset, he ruled with the support of the Privy Council.
Political Strategy
Northumberland stabilised the regime through pragmatic governance:
Restored Privy Council authority.
Reduced military commitments abroad.
Maintained the appearance of Edward's direct rule to bolster legitimacy.
Economic and Social Reforms
Halted the debasement of coinage (though with limited short-term success).
Promoted more cautious and sustainable economic management compared to Somerset.
Religious Change and Social Impact
Protestant Reforms Under Edward VI
Edward was raised a staunch Protestant, and his regents pushed for a thorough Protestant reformation.
Key religious reforms:
1549 Book of Common Prayer (Somerset): Introduced a uniform mode of worship in English but retained some Catholic elements.
1552 Second Book of Common Prayer (Northumberland): More explicitly Protestant, banning altars and removing all traces of Catholic ritual.
Legislative Actions
Chantries Act (1547) dissolved chantries (Catholic prayer houses), redirecting wealth to the Crown.
Act of Uniformity enforced the use of the Prayer Book.
Social Consequences
Religious alienation: Many in rural areas remained traditional in belief and resented changes to worship.
Destruction of religious art and changes in ritual caused social distress, especially among older generations.
Parish churches became focal points of religious and cultural conflict.
Rebellions and Political Unrest
Western Rebellion (Prayer Book Rebellion, 1549)
Occurred in Devon and Cornwall in response to the imposition of the English-language Book of Common Prayer.
Protesters demanded the restoration of traditional Latin rites and condemned social grievances like enclosure and inflation.
Harshly suppressed by government forces—thousands were killed, including leaders.
Kett’s Rebellion (1549)
Originated in Norfolk, led by Robert Kett.
Primarily driven by agrarian grievances, especially enclosure, and economic hardship.
Rebels set up a semi-organised alternative local government near Norwich.
The rebellion was eventually crushed by government forces led by the Earl of Warwick, further discrediting Somerset.
Political Fallout
The scale and frequency of unrest in 1549 deeply undermined Somerset’s authority, contributing to his downfall.
Northumberland’s subsequent rule was more politically cautious, focusing on restoring order and avoiding unpopular upheavals.
Economic Difficulties and Government Response
Inflation and Debasement
Debasement of the coinage under Henry VIII and continued by Somerset led to rising inflation, damaging the real value of wages.
Efforts by Northumberland to halt debasement were intended to restore confidence, though inflation remained a concern.
Unemployment and Poverty
The breakdown of the cloth industry, especially in East Anglia and the West Country, led to job losses.
The government introduced vagrancy laws (e.g. the 1547 Vagabonds Act), which were highly punitive, reflecting elite fears of disorder rather than genuine concern for the poor.
Harvest Failures
Poor harvests in 1548 and 1549 exacerbated food shortages, pushing up prices and increasing urban and rural discontent.
Intellectual Life and Humanist Influence
Humanist Education
Edward VI received a humanist education, tutored by scholars like Richard Cox and John Cheke.
The court under both Somerset and Northumberland supported Protestant humanism, especially as a justification for reform.
Religious Debates
Protestant theologians such as Cranmer, Hooper, and Ridley played a key role in shaping religious thought and policy.
The reign saw the emergence of Zwinglian and Calvinist influences in English religious discourse, especially under Northumberland.
The Role of the Printing Press
The Edwardian era witnessed a surge in religious pamphleteering, sermons, and the dissemination of Protestant texts.
This contributed to the polarisation of public opinion, with stronger anti-Catholic sentiment developing among the literate population.
Impact on Clergy and Universities
Universities like Cambridge and Oxford became hubs of Protestant reform, although divisions remained.
Clergy were required to adhere to the new liturgy, leading to resignations, resistance, or reluctant compliance among many.
Edward’s Role in Governance
Increasing Involvement
As Edward matured, especially in the last year of his reign, he took a more active role in policy-making.
He supported radical Protestantism, favouring further reforms beyond even those Northumberland had enacted.
Succession Crisis and Edward’s Will
Fearing the restoration of Catholicism under his sister Mary, Edward supported the ‘Devise for the Succession’, naming Lady Jane Grey as his heir.
This controversial act, orchestrated with Northumberland’s backing, led directly to the succession crisis of 1553, shortly after Edward’s death.
Edward VI’s reign was marked by deep instability: a young king unable to rule independently, powerful regents implementing conflicting policies, intense religious upheaval, and widespread economic and social unrest. The legacy of his reign shaped the political and religious challenges that would confront his successor.
FAQ
Somerset’s approach to enclosure was rooted in a desire to address the growing divide between rich landowners and impoverished peasants, many of whom had lost access to common land. He set up commissions in 1548 and 1549 to investigate illegal enclosures and publicly condemned the practice, gaining the reputation of a “Good Duke” among the common people. However, this earned him the ire of wealthy landowners, whose support he needed to govern effectively. His commissions raised expectations among the lower classes that the government would act decisively, but when few concrete actions followed, discontent intensified. The perception of siding with the poor alienated the nobility, while failure to follow through disappointed the commons, creating a dangerous political contradiction. Additionally, local justices and landowners resisted enforcing his anti-enclosure policies, undermining their implementation. These factors contributed to his political isolation, allowing rivals like Northumberland to orchestrate his removal with the backing of a disillusioned Privy Council.
Though Edward VI was a minor for the entirety of his reign, he played an increasingly active role in religious reform, particularly in the later years. Edward had been educated by devout Protestant tutors such as John Cheke and Richard Cox, and he embraced reformist ideas enthusiastically. His diaries and recorded conversations reveal a strong personal commitment to Protestant theology, including predestination and the rejection of transubstantiation. He pushed for a more radical religious settlement, supporting the introduction of the 1552 Book of Common Prayer, which removed all vestiges of Catholicism. Edward also supported the persecution of conservatives in the Church and gave active backing to figures like Archbishop Cranmer and Bishop Ridley. His influence grew particularly under Northumberland, who allowed the king more input in governance. While earlier reforms under Somerset were more cautious, those under Edward’s direct influence became markedly more aggressive, showing that Edward was not merely a passive figurehead but an active driver of Protestantisation.
The year 1549 saw two major uprisings— the Western Rebellion and Kett’s Rebellion— which severely tested the government’s ability to maintain order. These revolts occurred simultaneously in geographically distant regions, placing significant strain on military and administrative resources. The government struggled to suppress them quickly, revealing the fragility of state control under a minor king. Somerset’s inability to respond effectively damaged his credibility and exposed the limitations of central authority. The use of foreign mercenaries to quell unrest, especially in the West Country, provoked resentment and further alienated the population. Additionally, the rebellions reflected deeper discontent with both religious changes and socio-economic pressures, indicating that unrest was not isolated but systemic. The rebellions also demonstrated the inadequacies of local governance, as Justices of the Peace and local elites either failed to act or sympathised with the rebels. The cumulative effect was a significant erosion of confidence in the Protectorate and a catalyst for Somerset’s eventual removal from power.
The fall of Somerset in October 1549 marked a shift from a largely autocratic style of rule to a more collective, council-based government under Northumberland. Somerset had marginalised the Privy Council and often ruled through proclamations and personal advisers, which led to administrative inefficiency and elite resentment. After his removal, Northumberland—initially acting with caution—restored the Privy Council as the central mechanism of governance. He ensured consensus among councillors and avoided the unilateral decision-making that had plagued Somerset’s Protectorate. Northumberland also promoted competent administrators such as William Cecil and embraced political pragmatism, choosing policies that would stabilise the regime rather than enforce idealistic reform. He even sought to co-opt moderate conservatives rather than alienate them. This shift allowed the government to manage crises more effectively and laid the groundwork for the smoother implementation of more radical religious changes. In short, Somerset’s fall heralded a more balanced, institutional style of governance centred on cooperation rather than autocracy.
Edward VI’s aggressive Protestant reforms, particularly after 1550, attracted both alarm and hostility from Catholic powers such as France and the Holy Roman Empire. These reforms distanced England sharply from the Catholic Church and aligned it ideologically with the broader Protestant Reformation occurring in parts of Germany and Switzerland. Foreign observers, especially ambassadors, reported with concern the iconoclasm and changes to liturgy occurring under Edward’s reign. Catholic leaders viewed the English government’s support for figures like Cranmer and the implementation of the 1552 Prayer Book as acts of religious provocation. However, England’s weakened military and diplomatic position under Somerset and Northumberland meant it was less able to influence continental affairs or defend its position. The English alliance with Protestant German states remained weak and largely symbolic. Edward’s death in 1553 was viewed internationally as a potential opening for Catholic restoration under Mary, which many foreign powers supported. Thus, Edward’s reforms contributed to England’s diplomatic isolation in Europe.
Practice Questions
‘The most significant cause of unrest during Edward VI’s reign was religious change.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Religious change was undoubtedly a major cause of unrest during Edward VI’s reign, notably fuelling the Western Rebellion in response to the imposition of the English Prayer Book. However, economic hardship—including inflation, enclosure, and unemployment—was equally significant, as evidenced by Kett’s Rebellion. The unrest of 1549 stemmed from a complex interplay between doctrinal upheaval and social grievance. While radical reforms disrupted longstanding religious traditions, widespread poverty and governmental failure to address social pressures also incited rebellion. Therefore, although religious change played a key role, it was not the sole or even necessarily the most significant cause of instability.
To what extent did Northumberland govern more effectively than Somerset?
Northumberland governed more effectively than Somerset in both political and economic terms. Somerset’s autocratic style and failure to manage rebellions led to instability and his eventual downfall. In contrast, Northumberland restored authority to the Privy Council, ended costly foreign wars, and halted the debasement of the coinage. He also implemented more radical Protestant reforms while maintaining domestic order. While Somerset appeared motivated by idealism, Northumberland was pragmatic and focused on consolidating power and restoring stability. Therefore, Northumberland’s ability to govern through consensus and stabilise both government and economy suggests he was the more effective of the two regents.
