MARY I CONSOLIDATION

MARY'S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE: Mary was welcomed with open arms after the death of her brother, locals raised money for conservative religious projects, reflecting the devotion to the Catholic faith held by the English people. (English people also happy about a legitimate succession)  

WHAT PROBLEMS DID SHE INHERIT? 

1. inherited a kingdom with major religious division 

2. was a catholic in a kingdom of Protestant minority 

3. had little political knowlegede was not brought up to rule 

4. Her loyal supports such as Bedinfield and Rochester had no series experience in government 

5. would have to reply on those who served her half brother meaning she'd have to be surronded by those who introduced a religion that she hated 

HER COUNCILLORS: 

- BISHOP STEPHEN GARDINER (henry VIII's secretary was impriosned during Edwards reign / never trusted him as he failed to support her mother Catherine during the Break with Rome. (but saw him as indispensable when he died there was a gap in goverment that was never filled) 

- CARDINAL POLE: trusted him greatly however he did distance himself from secual issues due to that she had to reply on foreign advisors her husband and Simon Renard the ambassador to Charles V. 

- OTHER CHRUCHMEN: excluded from influence during Edward VIII's reign 

- LORD PAGET: who served Edward / she lost faith in him as he opposed all her religious programmes  

Mary appointed 50 councillors during her reign which arguable led to inefficentness and faction ridden court highlighted by Mary not discussing her marriage with Philip of Spain formally in Council. However this is midleading as Mary thought of the word 'councillor' as an hononary title, he actual working council was much smallar and had some experienced figures such as Gardiner and Paget. Her most trusted councillor was Cardinal Pole who was never a member of the Privy Council. 

- her relationship with Parliament was was one of cation and lack of cooperation as 80 mps opposed teh opposition to Edwardian religious legislation, concern for property rights (self intersted) didn't want to return monastic lands back to the Chuch (1555 a bill to allow the…