Protector Somerset and religious reform
- Created by: helena.n
- Created on: 08-11-18 16:52
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Protector Somerset and religious reform
Does Somerset deserve his reputation as the 'Good Duke'?
Edward Seymour = Duke of Somerset = Lord Protector
Dilemmas facing Somerset (and Edward) in 1547
Decisions facing Protector Somerset's Government
Why they should act
Why they shouldn't act
Resume war with Scotland?
- Henry had done this partly to prevent France using Scotland to weaken England
- Weak succession - still fear this
- Could they afford to lose national pride by withdrawing?
- May appear weak and susceptible to invasion
- Nobles and gentry had led troops in 1540s Campaigns
- Wanted war to continue to win personal fame
- Can the new government afford to alienate these powerful families?
- Over £2 million already spent on the war, with no real results
- Could they afford to keep going?
- France would likely get involved
- Could they risk invasion in South whilst dealing with Scots up North?
Officially encourage Protestant reform?
- Reform group dominating council and key government posts
- Can Somerset afford to do nothing?
- Protestant minority, esp. in London and South-East
- Want further change
- Can they be ignored?
- In the regions, most people followed Catholic Doctrines and Practices
- Create open rebellion by using the law to change people's faith?
- Too much change may alarm Catholic powers of Europe
- Esp. Emperor Charles V
- Already at war with France and Scotland
Prioritise economic and financial reform?
- Growing popular discontent over enclosures, rising prices and breakdown of traditional village communities
- Action satisfy - something being done?
- Changes (esp. to enclosure rights) would attack gentry class
- Government depend on them for support
- Raising taxes to try and improve national finances would be unpopular
- Could lose the new government the support it had
When Henry VIII died, the religion in England was a plethora of jumbled ideologies, neither entirely Catholic nor entirely Protestant. It featured Protestant leadership with a Catholic method of worship.
Somerset had…
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