Threats to political stability from 1547-1558

Death of Henry VIII

Date: 1547

Evidence of instability/stability: Instability – the last years of his reign oversaw the triumph of the Reformist faction under Somerset and Henry had wished for a balanced council but this didn’t happen – however, this position did not remain unchallenged

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Not too serious as Henry had an heir and Edward was still the monarch. Also, the Council unanimously delegated to Somerset as he was Edward’s uncle and had shown great skill in foreign policy.

How long did the threat last?: Short-term

Impact on government: The government was not ruled by a balanced council and was dominated by Reformists

The Privy Council was often ignored, Somerset assumed power and ruled by proclamations. 

Judgement: Not a large threat: Somerset was only a moderate Protestant as seen by his confused religious developments therefore could be seen as a figure who represented both groups. He was also appointed by the Council and was recognised for his successful efforts in foreign policy thus being popular at the time. Also, the events of 1549 gave the Catholic faction an opportunity to reassert themselves.

Somerset’s attempted coup

Date: 1547 

Evidence of instability/stability: Instability: factional conflict, 1549 rebellions, the ruling elite were concerned about the disorder despite the easing of the rebellions.

His hold on power declined and he made an abrasive choice to retreat to Windsor against Edward’s will. He had manipulated the King – and brought rise to Dudley.

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Serious: He took Edward to Windsor against his will and apparently threatened riots if he was removed from power. Somerset denied this but could not deny the King.

How long did the threat last?: Within a week, he was removed from power. 

Impact on government: War with Scotland,  financial and economic problems and religious uncertainty all made Somerset’s position difficult, but his methods of government alienated many.

Formation of the Anti-somerset faction: Wriothesley was a religious conservative, Warwick wished to advance his own power and Paget was frustrated that Somerset did not follow his advice – ambition. 

Judgement: Faction and religion combined to create instability.

Somerset as Lord Protector created a great deal of instability:

   –  Religious policy – introduced radical changes to a mostly Catholic society

   –  Foreign policy – failing wars with both France and Scotland

   –  Social Problems – Vagrancy Act, coin debasement, rebellions

   –  Ambitious in government – monopolised power, ignored advice from Privy Council, reluctant to delegate 

Northumberland’s seizure of power

Date: 1549

Evidence of instability/stability: Stability: ended the wars, put down the rebellions

Instability:  He allied himself with the more religiously radical elements on the Council foreshadowing the changes he was preparing to bring

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Not serious: conservative members of the faction were removed, BUT: people were suspicious due to his previous relationship with Somerset.

How long did the threat last?: Short- term 

Very swift and immediate response

Impact on government: Despite a factional struggle, the administration continued to function and had no impact on efficiency.

More democratic, regularly consulted PC, appointed 12 new members.  There was a decline in faction seeing as though Conservative members were removed from the Council – less opposition internally.

Judgement: In arguing that it restored stability, Northumberland put down rebellions, stabilised the economy and ended wars Somerset started. However, he started off having a low reputation and allegedly conspired against Mary, then on the scaffold renounced his Protestantism in a vain attempt to save his life. He also altered the succession to preserve his own power and this view is supported by the fact that Northumberland had married his son to Jane Grey, which allowed him to continue to dominate politics even after the death of Edward. 

Somerset’s Execution

Date: 1552

Evidence of instability/stability: Provided stability – was first restored in good faith and given a chance but he continued to plot; neutralising a potential threat.

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Not serious: he was deeply unpopular by this point so the Privy Council as Dudley would have put down a potential opponent that would have hindered the stability of the monarchy.

How long did the threat last?: Long – 1549 – 1552

Impact on government: Government and Council turned to favour John Dudley, who had suppressed the rebellion and had gained in popularity to engineer Somerset’s arrest. 

Judgement: Some historians describe him as the ‘good duke’ who provided for the poor, while to others he was a typical man, greedy and sought to advance his own position. He fell from power for multiple reasons but ultimately because he appeared unable to control the rebellions and was abandoned by other members of the council, who blamed him for failing to prevent the unrest.

Death of Edward

Date: 1553

Evidence of instability/stability: Instability – excluded Mary from succession, replaced with LJG  to preserve his religious changes /Northumberland’s power. People were unhappy – legitimacy>religion.

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Serious: his death kept quiet for a few days for Northumberland to plan, the succession was altered, people supported Mary more than Jane Grey, and Mary was preparing her forces to drive Grey out

How long did the threat last?: Short

Impact on government: The Privy Council had no choice but to support Northumberland and because they disagreed so heavily about having Jane Grey as Queen, it meant the monarchy was severely fragile. 

Judgement: The death of Edward and the alteration of the succession masses to create instability – instead of following tradition and precedent set by the Third Act of Succession – passing the throne to an illegitimate woman was an extremely unpopular choice bound to fail. People only wanted the rightful heir, Mary who proclaimed herself Queen, to rule.

Rule of Lady Jane Grey

Date: 1553

Evidence of instability/stability: Instability – for a monarch to choose their successor was concerning and Jane Grey had little support from the country let alone her own government

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Not serious – Privy Council did not support, she lacked legitimacy, she didn’t even want to be Queen – just fulfilling Northumberland’s ambition

How long did the threat last?: 9 days

Impact on government: PC only felt obliged to tolerate her but were quick to turn on her and Northumberland following their absence during Mary’s advances in East Anglia. Jane Grey, Northumberland and Guildford were all eventually executed under Mary.

Judgement: The attempt to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne lasted days, and when Northumberland left London the support of the political elite and the Council went to Mary. If anything, it did more to favour Mary, by showing her ability to usurp power using military personnel, people were more inclined to favour her over Jane despite their femininity. 

Accession of Mary Tudor

Date: 1553

Evidence of instability/stability: Stability – she was the legitimate queen

Instability – concerns about a female ruler and age (37) 

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Serious – femininity – the problem of marriage created political and social divisions and led to rebellions, she had to provide an heir to secure the dynasty but she was old.

Not serious – she had immense support from the people who welcomed her due to legitimacy but the religious conflict remained, executed opponents, and eventual revival of heresy laws that were unpopular but did ensure loyalty and stability

How long did the threat last?: A few months

Impact on government: The Privy Council was too large and faction-ridden for the government to function effectively. People divided on views on who she should marry e.g. Paget (supported Philip), Gardiner (Courtenay) BUT they did put their differences aside as they were loyal to Mary. Reforms made to improve the efficiency of government (inner council)

Judgement: Despite concerns that the size of the council and conflicts between individuals would result in conflict and inefficiency in government, there is little evidence to support this view – there were disputes over specific issues, but for much of the time the council was able to put rivalry aside and promote their loyalty to Mary.

Wyatt’s Rebellion

Date: 1554

Evidence of instability/stability: Instability – 3000 men marched on London with French support and royal soldiers also joined-  4 co-ordinated uprisings led by Protestant, Wyatt. 

Causes: religious, economic (cloth trade depression), Spanish marriage 

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Serious – the support from the French,  their grievances posed a threat to the monarchy (The main aim was originally a change in policy – to persuade Mary not to marry Philip but when it became clear Mary would not be moved, the aim shifted to place Elizabeth on the throne). Managed to get as far as Ludgate.

Mary’s response: make a speech, executed 100+ inc. LJG, Dudley and Northumberland imprisoned Elizabeth

BUT not seriously: Rebellion failed

How long did the threat last?: Jan-Feb 1554

Impact on government: The government had to respond to the rebellion before it threatened Mary’s position further

They sent a force led by the Duke of Norfolk, but this collapsed when 500 government troops joined Wyatt’s rebellion.When trying to enter London Wyatt planned to get in through Ludgate, but the gate was heavily guarded, and he was defeated. 

– Mary’s speech at Guildhall may have flattered her supporters as she ignored the Council’s advice to leave London – in the same way that her actions in proclaiming herself queen in 1553 had won her the throne.

Judgement: Moderate degree of threat – 

• Nearly 100 executions, including Wyatt – indicative of the scale of the threat
• Rebels were badly organised and not well supported. The government took them seriously because they threatened London, and without the support of London, Mary may have fallen. 
• Rebellion did fail due to Mary’s popularity, not Catholicism – legitimate Queen
• Wyatt got little backing from outside Kent.

Possibly inadvertently strengthened the regime?

This led to the formation of heresy laws and the burnings – which made her more unpopular.

Mary’s Marriage

Date: 1553

Evidence of instability/stability: Instability – Fears about marrying a Spanish man – dragged into Spanish wars, Mary would be subordinate to her husband, Philip II would effectively become King. BUT: Mary desired Philip for a stronger Catholic/Habsburg alliance. 

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Serious: unpopular amongst Parliament and Spanish marriage who wished for Courtenay, led to factional conflict, led to Wyatt’s rebellion, need for an heir.

How long did the threat last?: 1553-58. Ongoing problem

Impact on government: Factions developed, and people either supported the Spanish marriage to Philip or wished for Courtenay. Parliament tried to limit Philip II’s power through a treaty in April 1554.

A marriage treaty rather favourable to England was agreed upon – Philip would not be able to take goods, introduce his own laws and customs,  joint sovereign, 

Judgement: It seems that though there was concern about Mary marrying a foreigner, loyalty to the Queen took precedence.

Marriage was an ultimate failure – ‘phantom pregnancies’ and no actual heir, Philip spent little time in England. Political dear. Dragged into Spanish foreign policy and lost Calais. 

Mary’s Death

Date: 1558

Evidence of instability/stability: Stability – Followed Henry’s Third Act of Succession and passed the throne to Elizabeth -, Philip welcomed her

accession

Evidence it’s serious/not serious: Not serious – although Elizabeth was not Catholic, Mary avoided further discontent by recognising the importance of legitimacy.

Serious: Mary Queen of Scots in Scotland also wanted England. 

How long did the threat last?: 1558 – Elizabeth’s reign

Impact on government: England was still at war with France, and the influenza illness dominated society. 

Another female ruler received more support than Mary did upon her accession – Elizabeth reformed the PC and made it more balanced.

Judgement: The succession was smooth, the Crown would not pass to Philip. After her death in 1558, the country quickly rallied behind Henry VIII’s second daughter and England’s second reigning queen, Elizabeth I despite her Protestantism. The Tudor dynasty continued legitimately- stable.