Edward VI

## Positions

Coat of arms of King Edward VI

**Edward VI** (12 October 1537 - Present) is King of England and Ireland, as well as titular King of France, from 28 January 1547 to present. The only surviving son of Henry VIII by his third wife, Jane Seymour, Edward was the first English monarch to be raised as a Protestant. The realm was governed by a regency council headed by Edward Seymour, the Duke of Somerset, during Edward's minority.

The beginning of his reign already displayed signs of early tyranny and religious fanaticism, as he was guided by his council and especially the Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Edward was eager to continue the war in Scotland which his late father had initiated, however this would be delayed by the Lord Protector.

## Early life

### Birth

Edward came into the world on 12 October 1537, within the confines of his mother's chambers in Hampton Court Palace. He was the offspring of King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, his third spouse. Remarkably, he was the lone son of Henry VIII to survive beyond his father's lifetime. The populace across the land received the birth of this male heir, "whom we had yearned for so greatly," with an outpouring of elation and solace. Churches echoed with Te Deums, celebratory fires illuminated the night, and a cascade of gunshots resounded from the Tower, numbering more than two thousand rounds. On the 15th of October, Edward's christening took place, graced by his half-sisters: 21-year-old Lady Mary as the godmother and 4-year-old Lady Elizabeth bearing the chrisom. The Garter King of Arms declared him the Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester. Tragically, the queen's health declined, leading to her demise due to postnatal complications on the 24th of October, mere days after Edward's entrance into the world.

### Upbringing and education

Edward entered the world in good health, a source of great joy for his father. Lord Chancellor Lord Audley reported his rapid growth and vitality, while other accounts depict him as a tall and cheerful child. At four, he battled a life-threatening "quartan fever." Despite occasional illnesses and weak eyesight, his overall health remained solid.

Initially, Edward was in the care of Margaret Bryan, the head of the prince's household. Later, Blanche Herbert, Lady Troy, took over this role. Until age six, he grew up in the company of women. The formal royal household centered around Edward was overseen by Sir William Sidney and later Sir Richard Page, Anne Stanhope's stepfather. Henry insisted on stringent security and cleanliness for his son, considering Edward the "most precious jewel" of the realm. Visitors described the prince as content and lavishly provided for, with toys, comforts, and even his own troupe of minstrels.

Starting at six, Edward's education commenced under Richard Cox and John Cheke. He focused on learning of tongues, of the scripture, of philosophy, and all liberal sciences. Roger Ascham, Elizabeth's tutor, and Jean Belmain contributed to his education, teaching him languages like French, Spanish, and Italian. He also delved into geometry and learned musical instruments such as the lute and virginals. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury likely played a role in shaping Edward's religious education, which was aligned with the reforming agenda. It was said that Edward soaked up a lot of his father and later step-mother Katherine Parr's anger.

### Betrothal to Mary, Queen of Scots

In 1543, Edward was betrothed to Mary, the Queen-Regnant of the Scots. Edward was a mere six years old whereas Mary was only seven months old, however, this alliance bore significance far beyond the realm of youthful companionship, delving into the intricacies of geopolitical strategy.

The union between Edward and Mary was orchestrated by the ambitions of King Henry VIII, this marriage held the promise of reconciling the longstanding enmity that had plagued England's relationship with Scotland for ages. Henry's aspiration transcended the personal, aiming to reshape the geopolitical landscape by incorporating Scotland under English influence. When the Scottish failed to ratify this betrothal, the two kingdoms went to war, known as the 'Rough Wooing'. By 1547, a ceasefire had been signed that would only stand to last a mere few months.

## Accession to the throne

The day of his father's passing held poignant significance for Edward, as he shared his final moments with him before learning of the event in the evening of January 28th, 1547. Understanding the importance of a stable transition, Edward Seymour and John Dudley concurred to postpone the official announcement of the king's death until the necessary arrangements were made. Meanwhile, as Edward engaged the Ambassador to Charles V and Archbishop Cranmer in advocating for a religious debate within his study, the Earl of Arundel led the way, followed by the Earl of Hertford and Warwick, guiding the young Prince to the council chamber. It was here that they conveyed the heartrending news of his father's passing, executed with the utmost sensitivity to his youth. Recognizing potential threats, precautions had been taken, with the palace placed under the watchful vigilance of armed guards, dedicated to securing the young King from any possible kidnapping endeavors.

## Somerset protectorate

### Regency Council

Henry VIII's will designated sixteen executors, who were tasked with serving as Edward's council until he came of age at sixteen. Immediately following this, the Earl of Arundel was removed from the council, leading him and his family to flee the court. On the last day of King Henry's life, he ordered the release of the Duke of Norfolk and his son, the Earl of Surrey, from the confines of the Tower of London. In the wake of Henry's demise, an opulent distribution of lands and honors unfolded among the emerging power group. The will contained a "pending gifts" clause, hastily added at the final hour, which granted the executors the liberty to allocate lands and honors to themselves and the court, with a particular focus on Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford – the new king's uncle who would later assume the titles of Lord Protector of the Realm, Governor of the King's Person, and Duke of Somerset. Surprisingly, Henry VIII's will didn't explicitly establish the position of a Protector. Instead, it entrusted the governance of the realm during his son's minority to a regency council that would collectively make decisions by majority rule.

Despite this, shortly after Henry's passing, on February 4th, the executors opted to invest significant authority in the hands of the Duke of Somerset. A majority of thirteen out of the sixteen executors endorsed his appointment as Protector, justifying this decision as being "by virtue of the authority" vested in them by Henry's will. It's plausible that Somerset might have struck agreements with certain executors, as most of them received generous rewards. The transition of power to Somerset was executed with remarkable efficiency and ease.

Reporting from the perspective of the Habsburg domains, the imperial ambassador, Simon Renard, noted the swift and seamless transfer of authority from Edward Seymour to Emperor Charles V following Henry VIII's demise. The emperor promptly established communication with the King's sister, Lady Mary, solidifying his influence during this pivotal transition period.

## Reformation

Regarding matters of religion, the role played by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, was instrumental in shaping Edward's stance. Cranmer provided Edward with guidance and assistance, advocating for the continuation of the Reformation and the steadfast establishment of a distinct Church of England. The archbishop's influence extended beyond religious matters, encompassing the broader vision of the kingdom's spiritual trajectory.

Aligned with Cranmer's views, the Duke of Somerset lent his support to Edward's endeavors. Somerset, driven by a twofold ambition to further endear himself to the young monarch and to undermine the influence of the Catholic Howards, became a key ally in realizing Cranmer's objectives. Somerset recognized the potential of aligning his aspirations with the Reformation cause, as this would not only endear him to Edward but also consolidate his influence within the power dynamics of the time. In fact, Somerset's support for the Reformation proved to be a tactical move that went beyond religious conviction. By championing the Reformation, he skillfully positioned himself to counter the Catholic Howards' standing, using religious reform as a means to undermine their power and authority. In this intricate dance of political strategy, Somerset sought not only to promote the King's religious agenda but also to strengthen his own political position.

As Somerset maneuvered to gain favor with Edward, his commitment to the Reformation became a means to solidify his role as a central figure in the shaping of the kingdom's future. This dual objective was cleverly orchestrated to further his own aspirations while simultaneously advancing the Reformation cause. In this dynamic context, Edward's religious convictions became intertwined with political maneuvering, and Somerset emerged as a significant player whose actions would leave a lasting impact on the course of religious and political history in England.