The Tudor Monarchs
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la: The Tudor monarchs Overview of Elizabeth's Protestantism. Disputed successions brought instability among the political classes and Sixteenth-century England and Wales experienced huge the ordinary people as well as for the royal family. religious, political, social and economic change. This was, implications for the future of the to a large degree, influenced by the country's monarchs. Succession had clear dynasty. Gender been frequently explored in relation The Tudor monarchs who ruled England and Wales from has to Elizabeth l, but it was also a significant point for 1485 to 1603 were all determined individuals who were discussion for Mary too. She was the first queen regnant, prepared to make enormous changes in the lives of their the rule as a monarch in her own right. people in order to achieve their goals. They would not first queen to determination or have seen this as selfish - particularly in religious matters While their gender did not affect their ability to rule, it cause more questions to be raised where there was a strong sense from Edward VI onwards did about marriage and children. It could also be used to of attempting to do the best for the English people and to their advantage, particularly by Elizabeth l. save them from etemal damnation. The monarch. it was believed, was put on the throne to rule in the best interests This chapter explores the Tudor monarchs, their priorities, of their people. All of the rulers in this period shared some personalities and political qualities through the following common characteristics. They were determined to rule sections: rather than be ruled by their advisers. They were strong• 1 Personal and political qualities looks at each of the minded, if not stubbom. Dynastic loyalty determined Tudor monarchs as rulers and people. It examines their their behaviour in most cases, unless (like Edward VI) personal attributes and political aptitude. religion over-ruled that. They had varying interests and 2 Disputed successions? examines the extent to which preoccupations, and religion was an important determinant Tudor successions were disputed. It looks at the causes of their behaviour. and implications of disputed successions. 3 The significance of gender for Mary and Dynasty was vital to Henry Vlll and remained so for his Elizabeth discusses heirs. This made the issue of the succession absolutely these two reigning queens and the impact of their gender It central to politics. The succession changed three times on their rule. explores the theory of the king's two bodies and under Henry Vlll and again under Edward VI. Mary I the reactions of different people to the prospect of a female 'king'. avoided the temptation to do this, but feared the impact Note it down 1 Personal and political qualities Begin your collection of index cards here using the method As might be expected, the personal qualities and political on page xi. For each monarch create two cards. One will abilities of the Tudor tnonarchs were very different. Their be for their personal qualities; the other for their political . upbringings, interests and priorities varied greatly and abilities. Write their name and the years that they reigned for these had an impact on how the country was ruled. Their on the front of the card. On the back write brief notes about personalities had an effect on how govermnent operated as these aspects for each monarch. well as how they related to people around thetn, including This chapter also contains some complicated political, future heirs to the throne and close fatnily. theoretical and social concepts. The best note-taking method to use here would be the 1:2 method (see page x). In the left-hand column write the important Note it down headings or points and in the right-hand column make Create a spider diagram (see page x) for the different notes on the content that relates to them. political and personal characteristics of the monarchs. First, read the section carefully and identify common characteristics. Note them on your diagram. Paper I England, 1509-1603: authority, nation and religion Henry Vill (1491-1547) When young, Henry was handsome and athletic. Henry was extremely interested in theology. He loved music, Henry VI Il inherited the throne from his father, Henry dance, hunting and chivalric ideals. He was highly V Il, in 1509. Henry V Ill was not originally meant to educated and energetic —a symbol of renewal and change. inherit the throne, but his elder brother Prince Arthur Indeed Henry's reign was to see significant religious, died in 1502 shortly after Inarrying Catherine of Aragon. political and social change. Henry was able but not as This Incant that Henry becarne king on his father's death. intelligent as he believed hitnselfto be. Historian John Henry VI I was not a hereditary monarch, however, Guy has described him as having a 'second-rate Illind with and had seized the throne in 1485 after his victory over what looks suspiciously like an inferiority complex'. As Richard Ill at the Battle of Bosworth Field. This Incant the years went on Henry becalne increasingly egotistical, that the Tudor dynasty was still very new. This provides demanding, self-righteous and sornetimes rnorbid. He part of the explanation for Henry's cornplete preoccupation suffered increasing ill-health and became erratic and with an heir: the dynasty needed to be strongly established unpredictable. Throughout his reign Henry wanted to and look stable for it to continue, and avoid the fate of conquer Inore territory, especially in France, and was Richard Ill. Henry was detertnined that his fanlily would obsessed with chivalry and honour. Honour was an continue to rule the country and was prepared to take itnportant concept in Europe in this period, not just an extreme tneasures in order to achieve that. He wanted to ernpty word but a concept that could start expensive wars extend royal authority and power over institutions and and battles over supremacy. regions within the British Isles, and this was interwoven with his personal and dynastic objectives. Edward VI (1537-53) Henry was firntly in control of his govermnent. He was Edward VI was the male heir that Henry had longed for no mere figurehead but a king who was very determined since his first tnarriage, born to Henry and Jane Seymour to achieve his main aims and ideals. His ministers, (Henry's third wife) in 1537. He was a syrnbol of hope Thotnas Wolsey and subsequently Thomas Cromwell, did and stability during his father's life and of change at not rule on his behalf. They did carry out royal policy the beginning of his own reign. Edward's birth made once it was decided but Henry played a key role in the life at court easier for his half-sisters and put an end decisions. Even when away on a royal progress Henry to Henry's frantic search for a solution to his dynastic kept in conununication with London, keen to be up to problems. Inheriting the throne in 1547 at only 9 years date with all Inatters. Henry had a decisive influence on old, Edward laboured under heavy expectations. As he important issues such as war, the Royal Suprernacy, xvas under the age of 18 years old, a regent was appointed and the theology of his new Church of England. He did to govern for hirn. Initially this was Edward Seymour, listen to his advisors, however, and the court could make Earl of Somerset (see page 6), but after a coup in 1549, an inopact on his decisions. 4 4. A The family of Henry Vlll, painted in about 1545. From left to right: Mary, Edward, Henry, Jane Seymour, Elizabeth. What does this contemporary painting tell the historian about the relative importance of Henry's children? What can it say about Henry's own image? Theme 1 Monarchy and government, 1509—88 5 Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (c1500—52) will. The will stipulated a Regency Edward Seymour was intended in Henry Vlll's one man having such power. He was born to a noble family Council rather than successful war against the and from early youth was a skilled soldier, waging a Scotland and defending English involved in court and royal independent kingdom of Boulogne-sur-Meragainst the French. affairs. He was a member territoriessuch as this put an enormous financial of the household of During the protectorate nation. Somerset fell following Princess Mary from 1514, burden on the English were seen as a failure of aged 14. He received the rebellions of 1549, which popularist proclamations titles and positions government despite Somerset's a coup, Somerset from Henry Vlll after his against enclosure. Correctly fearing withdrew to Windsor Castle, but was sister Jane Seymour married the King in 1536. Seymour's seized Edward VI and Council on 11 October 1549. He nephew Edward became king on the death of Henry Vlll in arrested by the Regency restored to the Privy Council in 1547. Seymour became Lord Protector(a kind of regent to was initially released and felony in January 1552 after Edward) and created himself Duke of Somerset in 1547. 1550 but was executed for rule. Through political skill, manipulation and bribes, Somerset plotting against his successor's gathered much more power and authority than was ever John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland (1504—53) him in good John Dudley was the eldest evangelical reformers at court, and this stood Somerset son of Edmund Dudley, a stead for Edward's rule. He was not an enemy of was councillor to Henry Vll who and, indeed, was his second-in-command in Scotland.