Edward VI 1537-1553 By: Tyreese Musser

Essential Question In Edward VI’s very short reign did he impact the renaissance era in any way and was it good or bad?

Edward VI’s Background Edward VI was born in Greenwich on October 12. He was the only son of Henry VIII and his mother was Jane Seymour, Henry’s third wife. His mother died 12 days after his birth, her death is unknown but it was most likely caused due to giving birth.

Edward VI’s Inheritance to the Throne From birth Edward VI was destined to be heir of his father’s throne. He succeeded his father Henry VIII as the king of England at the age of 9. Disregarding his very young age and maturity Edward VI’s short reign did a lot to determine England’s future history as a Protestant nation.

King Edward VI or King Edward Seymour Edward VI was officially king on January 28, 1547, the day of his father’s death as well. King Edward VI was reigning king in theory but the Privy Council were the people who made the decisions. Edward VI’s maternal uncle, Edward Seymour, was elected lord protector during the king’s minority. Edward Seymour’s military ideas matched those of the young king’s ideas of fortifications and naval battles.

Edward VI’s Protestant Reforms Nothing is more controversial than Edward VI’s Protestant reforms carried forward in his name by Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury. Starting in 1549, the Latin mass was replaced by matins, evensong, and Holy Communion in English. Confession was abandoned, purgatory denied and chantries shut down, Priests were also permitted to marry. The Catholic devotional world of the English parishes was fatally damaged as sacred images, wall paintings, and stained glass were defaced or destroyed, in their place came pulpits (a raised stand for preachers) and preaching.

Edward VI’s Protestant Reforms Edward VI’s own role in the protestant reforms is unsure but based of a French treaty Edward VI was a very passionate and devoted Protestant. Edward’s reforms also laid the foundation for the 1559 church settlement of his sister Queen Elizabeth. The Book of Common Prayer, the work of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer was written in 1549 as a handbook to the new style of worship that skated controversial issues in an effort to pacify Catholics.

Protestant Reform Rebellion The reforms sparked a major rebellion in Devin and Cornwall in the summer of 1549 which called for the restoration of the mass and traditional parish culture. The King stopped the rebellion with uncommon brutality by mercenaries.

Edward VI’s Issues Economic problems in England were very bad during Edward’s reign and foreign relations weren’t strong either. The new faith and the removal of the monasteries left many Christian officials out of work at a time when unemployment was high. Enclosure of monastic (religious workers living areas) lands deprived many peasants of their land and needs to survive and produce. Coinage was losing value as new coins were minted from inferior metals. A French/Scottish alliance threatened England forcing Somerset (Edward Seymour was Duke) to invade Scotland in which Somerset won the Battle of Pinkie. The general unrest led to Somerset’s fall and Edward Seymour’s execution which then led to one of the most corrupt eras in English political history.

Edward VI and John Dudley Era Edward VI’s next closest advisor was John Dudley. John Dudley only became known because of Edward VI. He became Edward VI’s lord protector because he said on Edward’s 12th birthday he had reached manhood and was ready to rule. Dudley was named Duke of Northumberland and basically ruled England along side of Edward just with no official title. The Council under Dudley’s leadership began to confiscate church territories as the spread Protestantism seemed inevitable. During this time the only thing Edward did was allow John Dudley to complete all his goals to becoming powerful.

The Beginning of the End Edward VI got deathly sick in 1553, his father Henry VIII had the list of succession in his will and next in line were Edward’s sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. Northumberland convinced the sick Edward that Mary, a devoted Catholic, would ruin the Protestant reforms enacted throughout the reign but he knew Mary would restore Catholicism and return the confiscated Church territories which were making the Council very rich. The attempt to convince Edward worked, he decided to pass the succession to Frances Grey’s daughter, Lady Jane Grey. Edward died on July 6, 1553 and left behind a disputed succession. Edward VI’s death was diagnosed as TB or tuberculosis.

Edward VI’s Reign Summary Edward VI was a very intelligent boy who fell victim to his youth for being a kind and his powerful Council of Regency. His immaturity and frailty led to his early death. He lives into manhood and had the chance at becoming a great king. His greatest accomplishment was probably The Book of Common Prayer written in 1549 by Thomas Cranmer created during his reign. In his reign The Church changed from a predominantly Roman Catholic Church to a Protestantism Church. Great progress was achieved in the Reformation as well.

Works Cited "Edward VI (England) (1537–1553; Ruled 1547–1553)." Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World., "Edward VI." The Oxford Companion to British History., "Edward VI." Encyclopedia of World Biography., "Edward VI." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed.., "Edward VI (1537–1553)." The Renaissance., and "Edward VI." World Encyclopedia. "Edward VI (England) (1537–1553; Ruled 1547–1553)." Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2016. "Edward VI (1537-1553 AD)." Edward VI (1537-1553 AD). N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2016. "BBC - History - Edward VI." N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2016.

Picture Citations http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/edward_vi_king.shtml http://www.britannia.com/history/monarchs/mon42.html http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/british-and-irish-history-biographies/edward-vi http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/tudor_6.htm http://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/king-edward-vi/