1547 – 1558: Edward and Mary – The Mid-Tudor Crises –
Enquiry Topic
The Stability of the Monarchy
Issues of Edward VI’s Age and Mary Tudors Gender
Edward VI’ Age:
• In 1543, Henry VIII issued a Third Succession Act confirming if Edward died without
heirs, the throne would pass to Mary and then Elizabeth (reversing the earlier succession
acts)
• In 1546, Henry’s health was declining, and therefore he knew Edward would begin rule
as a minor – he confirmed the Third Succession Act in his will
• To ensure political stability under Edward (a minor), Henry set up a regency council:
o It had a balance of ‘reformists’ (e.g. Somerset) and ‘Catholics’/’Conservatives’ (e.g.
Norfolk and Gardiner)
• Edward VI (son of Jane Seymour and Henry VIII) ruled between 1547 and 1553
• Problems with having a minor on the throne:
o He would be unable to lead troops into battle
o Other states may look to exploit the weakness of a minor and attack
o England may return to civil war
o A minor could not control factional struggles
o Concerns about image (e.g. powerful, militarily adept)
o Examples of failed minor rule include Henry III and Henry VI (civil war), Richard II
(deposed), Edward V (imprisoned and murdered)
Mary Tudors Gender:
• Mary Tudor came into power in 1553 after Edward’s death and Lady Jane Grey’s rule
• There had only been 1 female ruler prior to Mary – Matilda I, whose short reign ended in
civil war, as the people supported Stephen of Blois
• Fears of having a female ruler:
o Would not be able to control factional struggles
o Would be unable to lead troops into battle
o Would be expected to marry (problems with marriage and the throne)
• John Knox wrote ‘The First Blast and Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of
Women’, expressing views that a women ruler was against God and unnatural
Marriage of Mary Tudor and Philip
Issues with Marriage:
• If Mary was to marry, there were certain Tudor views which would have caused
problems:
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, o If Mary was to marry an Englishman, the power of her husband’s family would
dominate the court and their influence would increase
o If Mary married a foreigner, there would be fears that the country would be dominated
by foreigners (xenophobia)
Marriage with Philip II of Spain:
• There were two realistic candidates for marriage:
o Edward Courtenay – Earl of Devon, backed by Gardiner
o Philip II of Spain, son of Charles V (Emperor of HRE), backed by Paget
• Courtenay (2nd Cousin) was descended from royal blood, but Mary did not see his appeal
• Instead, her preference was Philip – she thought the marriage would bring her closer to
the Hapsburgs, her mother’s (Catherine of Aragon) family
• However there were fears that Philip, and Spain would end up taking control of the throne
of England, and England would be dragged into the Hapsburg Wars (against France)
• Mary announced her intention to marry Philip in October 1553
• Simon Renard (the Spanish Ambassador) was sent to England, and worked for the
Hapsburgs – he informed Paget of plots to put Elizabeth on the throne
• There was a petition trying to stop the marriage in the House of Commons, but Mary
ignored it. A marriage treaty was presented to the Council and approved in January
1554, terms included:
o Philip to have no prerogatives as king
o Philip to accept lawful heir after Mary’s death – he had no claim (and his heirs)
o Not allowed to take any jewels, ships, guns, supplies abroad
o No foreigners to hold public office, no Spanish elements at court
• Worries about the marriage played a significant role in causing Wyatt’s rebellion (1554)
• Mary’s marriage was ultimately a political deal for Philip – there are questions as to
whether he truly loved her, and towards the end of her marriage he spent most of his time
in Spain. After her death, he proposed to Elizabeth, Mary’s half-sister
The Devise for the Succession in 1553
The Succession in 1553:
• In the early months of 1553, Edward’s health began to decline
• According to the Third Succession Act, after Edward’s death, Mary would take the
throne
• However, during the summer of 1553, a plot developed to change the succession so
Northumberland could retain the throne. This was to:
o Preserve his power and influence
o Retain Protestant power (as Mary was a devout Catholic)
• Northumberland arranged for his son, Guildford Dudley, to marry the Duke of Suffolk’s
daughter, Lady Jane Grey – he would then change the will to make Jane Grey’s future
son the heir
• There is a possibility Edward was driving the plot:
o He was playing a greater role in government, attending meetings, and setting
agendas
o He was a devout Protestant and wanted to prevent the spread of Catholicism
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