Edward VI & Authority

As a Regency Council ruled England, Edward VI's authority was limited.

Edward VI's image

• Edward VI's image-making was central to conveying his authority.

• Edward VI tried to copy his father and emphasise his Tudor heritage. But there were clear limitations because he was just a boy.

• Henry VIII had presented himself as a strong, virile man. Edward VI could not as a pre-pubescent boy.

• Instead, Edward VI and his ministers crafted him as a second Josiah (a king in the Old Testament who pursued religious reform). This allowed him to emphasise his Protestant agenda

• Historians have debated over how much independence Edward VI had.
• It is clear that Edward VI took an interest in religious reform.
• The selection of the Duke of Northumberland may have reflected Edward VI's Protestant aims.

Problems of Succession in England

Edward VI's untimely death triggered a succession crisis in England. This was because Edward's successor, Mary, was a Catholic.

• As Henry VIII's sole male heir, Edward VI was first in line to be king. Next in line was Mary, then Elizabeth.
• By this time, Yorkist claimants had been wiped out.
• Henry VIII had excluded the Howards (the Duke of Norfolk's family) who could potentially influence the boy king and reverse the Royal Supremacy because they were Catholic.

• In the winter of 1553, Edward VI became seriously ill with a chest affliction.
• It became clear that Edward would not survive.
• Next in line to the throne was Mary. But as a Catholic and a woman, she was considered a threat.
• This triggered a succession crisis.

• She would be England’s first queen regnant (a monarch in her own right, not through her husband). It was thought unnatural for a woman to govern. It would be uncharted territory.
• Mary was a Catholic and close to the Holy Roman Empire (Charles V was her cousin).
• She would undo the Protestant changes put through by Northumberland. He himself would be in danger of losing at least his position.

• She would be England’s first queen regnant (a monarch in her own right, not through her husband). It was thought unnatural for a woman to govern. It would be uncharted territory.
• Mary was a Catholic and close to the Holy Roman Empire (Charles V was her cousin).
• She would undo the Protestant changes put through by Northumberland. He himself would be in danger of losing at least his position.

• Most think Northumberland was behind the plan to put Lady Jane Grey (a Protestant) on the throne in place of Mary.
• Edward agreed, or maybe was behind it? He wrote the ‘Devise’ to change the succession himself. This bypassed Mary and Elizabeth and instead passed the throne to Lady Jane Grey and her ‘heirs male.’
• Edward was not actually old enough to legally change the succession.
• Lady Jane Grey married Northumberland’s son, Guildford Dudley, six weeks before Edward died

• There was little support for Lady Jane Grey's claim to the throne (only being recognised in London, Kings Lynn and Berwick).
• Mary was in East Anglia as events unfolded. Most people backed her as the rightful heir. For most, the law was more important than religion.
• Seeing this change, Northumberland surrendered to Mary near Cambridge.
• The Duke of Northumberland was executed. Lady Jane Grey and Guildford Dudley were spared.

Regency council ruled England on behalf of Edward VI