Mid Tudor Crisis - essay plans
Government
Factionalism + instability
- Edward was 9 when he came to the throne in 1547, meaning he had to have a
regency council to rule for him -> rivalries between prominent members of the council
such as Northumberland + Somerset
- Mary appointed 50 councillors in her brief reign -> many of them had Catholic
inclinations but their sheer number meant that government was inefficient and rife
with factionalism
- Elizabeth - factionalism not severe, relied on trusted advisors like Cecil and
Walsingham
- Caveat: the factionalism was not so destructive that government could not function
properly, arguably factionalism seen in the later years of H8 reign worse
Succession crises
- Northumberland’s devise for the succession altered the succession to pass to Lady
Jane Grey, 9 Day Queen
- Mary was reluctant to name Elizabeth as her successor, she was imprisoned
post-Wyatt after her suspected involvement, ideological differences
- Mary did not produce a male heir from her Spanish Marriage -> parliament opposed
the marriage and argued with Mary over the succession which was ultimately
unsuccessful
- Caveat: ultimately, succession followed H8 restoration of his will
Government control
- Somerset got letters patent and started to rule by proclamation which fostered
resentment among council members
- Northumberland’s collective gov was shattered with an attempted counter coup by
Somerset
- Mary relied heavily on her husband Phillip and father in law on political matters as
she was not raised to rule so could be argued she had little control over government
- Elizabeth - more effective control
- Caveat: strong responses in moments of danger (e.g. Mary’s handling of Wyatt’s
rebellion) + Elizabeth strong
Conclusion: there was not a crisis in government - it was handled well by Elizabeth in
particular. Factionalism was indeed in turmoil under Edward and Mary, but the succession
route was followed and government control was never truly in danger, responses were
strong.
, Rebellions
Para 1 = Kett's rebellion -> weakness of central government/ socio-economic
- Over economic issues like the sheep tax 1547, started off as a peaceful campaign
against enclosure
- 4,000 deaths, leader captured + hanged however did uncover flaws in Somerset’s
government and the failure of his economic reforms to improve inflation and the
debasement of the coinage
- Rebellions like Ketts led to Somerset’s downfall and led to Northumberland taking
over as Somerset was seen as not fit to be in power
- Did not march towards London, failed to bring about any significant reform, brutal
executions showed decisive action against opponents
Para 2 = Western rebellion -> religious
- Protestant reform making the 1549 prayer book led to catholic dislike
- Similar structure to Ketts, did not march towards London
- Prayer book made English the language of worship
- Rebels defeated first at Clyst heath and then at Sampford Courtenay
- Could be said Wyatt’s rebellion was also religious, Protestants against Spanish
marriage as Phillip was Catholic
- Not purely religious -> poorer rebels joined in due to economic grievances and
wanted a change in government
- Ultimately it did not lead to any change in the path of religious reform, whilst
Somerset's response was slow, it still put down the rebels
Para 3 = Wyatt’s rebellion + Northern rebellion-> opposition to rule/political
- Primary cause = Spanish marriage, but also social and economic grievances
- 3,000 men raised in Maidstone
- Marched towards London, but stopped by crown forces at London Bridge
- Was dealt with effectively by Mary but showed that Protestant opposition was clear
- Northern rebellion - Earl of Northumberland + westmorland to put Mary QoS on the
throne
- Wyatt’s rebellion was put down by the decisive action of Mary, showing she could act
well in a crisis, same goes with Northern rebellion
Religion
Government
Factionalism + instability
- Edward was 9 when he came to the throne in 1547, meaning he had to have a
regency council to rule for him -> rivalries between prominent members of the council
such as Northumberland + Somerset
- Mary appointed 50 councillors in her brief reign -> many of them had Catholic
inclinations but their sheer number meant that government was inefficient and rife
with factionalism
- Elizabeth - factionalism not severe, relied on trusted advisors like Cecil and
Walsingham
- Caveat: the factionalism was not so destructive that government could not function
properly, arguably factionalism seen in the later years of H8 reign worse
Succession crises
- Northumberland’s devise for the succession altered the succession to pass to Lady
Jane Grey, 9 Day Queen
- Mary was reluctant to name Elizabeth as her successor, she was imprisoned
post-Wyatt after her suspected involvement, ideological differences
- Mary did not produce a male heir from her Spanish Marriage -> parliament opposed
the marriage and argued with Mary over the succession which was ultimately
unsuccessful
- Caveat: ultimately, succession followed H8 restoration of his will
Government control
- Somerset got letters patent and started to rule by proclamation which fostered
resentment among council members
- Northumberland’s collective gov was shattered with an attempted counter coup by
Somerset
- Mary relied heavily on her husband Phillip and father in law on political matters as
she was not raised to rule so could be argued she had little control over government
- Elizabeth - more effective control
- Caveat: strong responses in moments of danger (e.g. Mary’s handling of Wyatt’s
rebellion) + Elizabeth strong
Conclusion: there was not a crisis in government - it was handled well by Elizabeth in
particular. Factionalism was indeed in turmoil under Edward and Mary, but the succession
route was followed and government control was never truly in danger, responses were
strong.
, Rebellions
Para 1 = Kett's rebellion -> weakness of central government/ socio-economic
- Over economic issues like the sheep tax 1547, started off as a peaceful campaign
against enclosure
- 4,000 deaths, leader captured + hanged however did uncover flaws in Somerset’s
government and the failure of his economic reforms to improve inflation and the
debasement of the coinage
- Rebellions like Ketts led to Somerset’s downfall and led to Northumberland taking
over as Somerset was seen as not fit to be in power
- Did not march towards London, failed to bring about any significant reform, brutal
executions showed decisive action against opponents
Para 2 = Western rebellion -> religious
- Protestant reform making the 1549 prayer book led to catholic dislike
- Similar structure to Ketts, did not march towards London
- Prayer book made English the language of worship
- Rebels defeated first at Clyst heath and then at Sampford Courtenay
- Could be said Wyatt’s rebellion was also religious, Protestants against Spanish
marriage as Phillip was Catholic
- Not purely religious -> poorer rebels joined in due to economic grievances and
wanted a change in government
- Ultimately it did not lead to any change in the path of religious reform, whilst
Somerset's response was slow, it still put down the rebels
Para 3 = Wyatt’s rebellion + Northern rebellion-> opposition to rule/political
- Primary cause = Spanish marriage, but also social and economic grievances
- 3,000 men raised in Maidstone
- Marched towards London, but stopped by crown forces at London Bridge
- Was dealt with effectively by Mary but showed that Protestant opposition was clear
- Northern rebellion - Earl of Northumberland + westmorland to put Mary QoS on the
throne
- Wyatt’s rebellion was put down by the decisive action of Mary, showing she could act
well in a crisis, same goes with Northern rebellion
Religion
