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‘The Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland served Edward VI well but served themselves even better.’ Assess the validity of this view in the context of the years . (25 marks)
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Charlotte Corrigan‘The Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland served Edward VI well but served
themselves even better.’ Assess the validity of this view in the context of the years 1547-
1553. (25 marks)
Despite the Duke of Somerset and the Duke of Northumberland being specifically appointed
to serve Edward VI, arguably, Edward’s ministers gained more from the King, in terms of
power, influence and money. Both ministers seemed to exploit their supportive position to
Edward to increase and secure their own power, whilst furthering their own agendas.
Edward VI succeeded his father by the rules of primogeniture establishing him as King of
England at 9 years. Due to the King’s inexperience and infantile position, he would not have
been in a position to govern the country and relied on his uncle, Edward Seymour’s,
guidance which paved the way for the Somerset’s transient rise to power. Self-serving
ambitions could be viewed through the increase in rebellions in 1549 over religion and the
radical reforms from 1550 which introduced laws securing Protestantism in England.
However, this idea of furthering their own ideologies could be challenged in the case of
Somerset, as his position as the uncle of the King took precedent over his personal
ambitions so it could be argued that everything he did was to determine the success of his
nephew. Northumberland, as a non-relative to the King, had to govern through the
authority of the Privy Council. Despite being viewed by historians as ‘ambitious and selfish’,
he improved England’s relations with France, supported the Privy Council and restored
stability after a major crisis. Henry VIII laid out the foundations, in terms of foreign policy,
economic affairs and religious reform, for the succession of Edward, but Northumberland
and Somerset deviated from his instruction and implemented their own agendas, instigating
instability and making the reign of Edward turbulent.
Northumberland and Somerset’s religious policies furthered their own pious views,
favouring Protestantism. Previously, Henry VIII’s religious doctrines formed compromises
that satisfied neither the Conservative nor Progressive factions in England. It would be
expected that as members of the Progressive faction, they would want to further their own
ideologies rather than maintaining religious equilibrium. After adopting the position Lord
Protector of England, Somerset introduced a variety of reforms undermining the stability of
the country. The relaxation of press censorship, encouraged by the government, saw an
upsurge in writings against Catholicism. Key figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin
wanted to advocate religious reform. Luther founded Lutheranism and in 1517, devised his
‘95 Theses’, encouraging Protestant reformation. Calvin took a radicalistic approach,
promoting consubstantiation and founded the Presbyterians. Extremist individuals like
Calvin and Luther’s writings against Catholicism heightened the gulf between Catholics and
Protestants. Furthermore, the introduction of the Treason Act repealed the Six Articles Act
in 1547, which had previously enforced transubstantiation, communion of one kind, clerical
celibacy, vows of chastity, private masses and auricular confession. The rejection of the Act
illustrated the shift from Catholicism to Protestantism which created turmoil in England.
Moreover, Somerset imposed the Chantries Act abolishing Chantries, a logical decision after
Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, whilst eliminating the Catholic practice of
praying to the souls of the dead. One of the most monumental amendments was the
introduction of the 1549 Act of Uniformity, which imposed a single standard of worship to
end religious confusion. These religious reforms seemed to escalate the religious divide
between Catholics and Protestants and exacerbated the oppression of Catholicism, resulting
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