Today's Monarch of England is the young king Edward VI. His is a tale of sadness, of turmoil, and of change. While seldom remembered, he was a power in his own right, and made some pretty strong decisions, despite being a sickly teenager.
- Was the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, making him the youngest child, and the only son. His half sisters were 21 (Mary) and 4 (Elizabeth.) Mary was not particularly keen on having a little brother, and Edward was not initially kept very close to either of his sisters. (Henry was no longer interested in his girls now that he had his son, after all.)
- His father doted on him. Many were the reports of Henry VIII carrying Edward in his arms, showing him off to people, and generally refusing to turn loose of the baby boy. His obsession with having a son certainly wasn't a false desire.
- Sadly, a week later, his mother lay dead. Henry was heartbroken, but made sure the infant Edward was well cared for by nursemaids and attendants. Little prince Edward was pampered to an extreme. Henry called him "This realm's most precious crown jewel." He even had private minstrels who followed him and provided music at all hours of the day and night.
- As a child, he showed an avid interest in geography, economy, and mathematics. All sources indicate that he was a studious young man, despite his pampered upbringing. However, the worry was in his religious studies. Thomas Cranmer saw to it that the young prince was educated in a very PROTESTANT curriculum. Edward seems to have really taken it to heart, embracing the reformist path with fervor and devotion.
- However, it should be noted that he was also a boy, and very mischievous. He was known to get in trouble with his teachers, but since they couldn't strike the young prince, a "Whipping Boy" was brought in by the king. This poor boy would be swatted and whipped every time Edward did something wrong. By the time he was 10, he seems to have calmed down some, much to the relief of the backsides of the whipping boys. He became very studious, like Elizabeth, and he was provided with noble classmates and playmates to learn with.
- At 12 years old, Edward wrote a long treatise on how the Pope was the antichrist, and how the Catholic church was the tool of Satan. This treatise was published and circulated not just in England, but abroad. Many said that the very young boy had a strong grasp on religious doctrine and history. However, this did nothing to impress England's Catholic church, now reeling from the dissolution of the monasteries, and nearly in rebellion against the Tudors.
- Even still, as he grew into a teen, he seems to have gotten along well with his estranged sisters. Though complete opposites in opinion, it is said that he enjoyed debating and speaking to Mary, and she to him. Elizabeth often sewed for her little brother. Edward was partly responsible for Henry's reconciliation with his daughters, and Edward was very close to Catherine Parr, his stepmother. In 1543, the entire family came together for Christmas, something Henry hadn't done in a very long time.
- Was betrothed to a Scottish princess. However, when Scotland invaded for the French, Henry was beyond outraged. This led to the "Rough Wooing," a war which would devastate Scotland well after Henry had died.
- After Henry VIII died, Edward, now King Edward VI, made it QUITE clear from the get-go that he was Protestant, and would be continuing the reforms of his father. At his coronation, he swore to remove all traces of religious icons and the bishoprics from the realm.
- Never was a king in his own right, but instead ruled with a regency council of Protestant lords, who, now blessed with real power, began to purge the Catholics in earnest. People lost livelihoods, status, and even their lives.
- Dealt with a bit of a political crisis. His sister, Elizabeth, and one of his advisors, Thomas Seymour, were becoming entirely too close. Seymour was an opportunist, but seems to have generally cared for the princess, and she for him. However, the relationship was dangerous and unpopular. Edward was obliged to side with the rest of the council. Seymour was beheaded on charges of treason. (This had become rather the normal way to deal with things during the Tudor Dynasty.)
- Edward had a rocky reign. Rebellions were becoming common. The Protestants and Catholics were always at each others' throats. The Catholics believe in Latin masses, the Protestants in English. When the protestants created an English prayerbook, the Catholics deemed them heretical. In addition, the peasants were up in arms because landlords were taking more and more common land away from the people and giving it to themselves. Edward Seymour, the king's uncle, did his best to put down these uprisings, but it began to become clear that the English government was losing ground.
- Edward Seymour soon fell out of favor with his fellow councilors, was accused of gross mismanagement of the realm, and was, of course, beheaded in what can only be described as a coup d'etat by his political rivals. Edward VI was caught in the middle, and could not save his uncle from the block.
- John Dudley, lord Northumberland, quickly filled the power vacuum that was left. His regime has been seen as a power grabbing bunch of schemers, but recent evidence points out that they did improve England quite a bit, and that Edward was becoming more and more involved in day to day affairs. However, these guys were RAMPANTLY Protestant, as was the king. By age 14, Edward was more or less an active part of the regency council, and was showing great promise.... as well as a great passion for reform.
- Thomas Cranmer, now Archbishop of Canterbury, proposed a new sort of religion. This "Church of England" would keep most of the ritual of the Catholics, while rejecting the pope. Religious icons would be destroyed, but people could continue to pray in the manner in which they were accustomed. This suited Edward VI just fine, as he trusted Cranmer implicitly, and did not want to alienate the catholics, just reform them. (After all, his own sister was a Catholic.) Cranmer also advised that Edward continue his father's work of confiscating church land and tearing down monasteries. Edward was only too glad to do so.
- Edward commissioned an English prayer book, which was written by Cranmer. This book is still used as the core of the Church of England today. It also made religion more accessible to the English people, who could now pray in their homes, without a priest as an intermediary. The transubstantiation was eliminated, but bread and wine was still allowed... (they just didn't say it was the body and blood of Christ.) Confession was eliminated, etc, etc.
- Things were going well for Edward VI and his council. Now 16, it appeared that he would finally be getting ready to be a real king. Talks were underway to find a suitable wife for him, and Edward was genuinely popular with most people... (except the Catholics, of course...) Then... disaster struck.
- Edward fell ill... he had beaten measles and smallpox at 15, but the diseases had taken their toll... now weak and frail, he contracted what was most likely tuberculosis. His legs were swollen so badly he could not walk, he coughed up black phlegm and red blood. Even he knew he was dying.
- Now resolved to die, he faced a real crisis. If he died childless, the kingdom would pass to Mary, his eldest sister. This was bad on many counts.... for one, she was a woman, and England had never had a queen in her own right. Secondly, Mary was an unapologetic Catholic, as her mother had been, and Edward knew it. Thirdly, Mary was now a bitter, middle aged woman who was still carrying a grudge for the mistreatment of her mother at the hands of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Edward feared not only for his Protestant Councilors, but also 20 year old Elizabeth, who would be thrown into danger if Mary became queen.
- On his deathbed, Edward VI wrote up a bold and rather amazingly badly thought out plan. When he died, he decided to hand the kingdom to yet another woman, his beloved cousin Jane Grey. (Remember the Grey family?) He officially disowned his sisters, leaving them bastards once again. This was done not to spite Elizabeth, but to keep Mary from the throne.
- The reason for Jane Grey was religious as well as political. Jane was a Protestant... but she had also married Lord Guilford Dudley... son of John Dudley, head of the regency council. Jane was intelligent, but incredibly naive. She and Edward were good friends. Of course John Dudley was happy to announce that this act of succession was legitimate, and that the king's word was law. SURELY Lord Dudley of Northumberland did not IN ANY WAY manipulate the dying king, right? RIGHT? Well, whether he did or not, it all seemed pretty damned convenient.
- On the 1st of July, Edward made his sad final appearance. The people of England were horrified to see a ravaged scarecrow of a boy, who had once, like his father, been so strong and hale. Edward's appearance was so awful, that he refused to be seen again. He died 5 days later. Lady Jane Grey became the new QUEEN of England. She had no idea. When she heard the news, she fainted.
Edward VI was popular and young, and so was widely mourned by everyone...
Well... except the Catholics... and his sister Mary.
But that's a story for next time.
- Was the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, making him the youngest child, and the only son. His half sisters were 21 (Mary) and 4 (Elizabeth.) Mary was not particularly keen on having a little brother, and Edward was not initially kept very close to either of his sisters. (Henry was no longer interested in his girls now that he had his son, after all.)
- His father doted on him. Many were the reports of Henry VIII carrying Edward in his arms, showing him off to people, and generally refusing to turn loose of the baby boy. His obsession with having a son certainly wasn't a false desire.
- Sadly, a week later, his mother lay dead. Henry was heartbroken, but made sure the infant Edward was well cared for by nursemaids and attendants. Little prince Edward was pampered to an extreme. Henry called him "This realm's most precious crown jewel." He even had private minstrels who followed him and provided music at all hours of the day and night.
- As a child, he showed an avid interest in geography, economy, and mathematics. All sources indicate that he was a studious young man, despite his pampered upbringing. However, the worry was in his religious studies. Thomas Cranmer saw to it that the young prince was educated in a very PROTESTANT curriculum. Edward seems to have really taken it to heart, embracing the reformist path with fervor and devotion.
- However, it should be noted that he was also a boy, and very mischievous. He was known to get in trouble with his teachers, but since they couldn't strike the young prince, a "Whipping Boy" was brought in by the king. This poor boy would be swatted and whipped every time Edward did something wrong. By the time he was 10, he seems to have calmed down some, much to the relief of the backsides of the whipping boys. He became very studious, like Elizabeth, and he was provided with noble classmates and playmates to learn with.
- At 12 years old, Edward wrote a long treatise on how the Pope was the antichrist, and how the Catholic church was the tool of Satan. This treatise was published and circulated not just in England, but abroad. Many said that the very young boy had a strong grasp on religious doctrine and history. However, this did nothing to impress England's Catholic church, now reeling from the dissolution of the monasteries, and nearly in rebellion against the Tudors.
- Even still, as he grew into a teen, he seems to have gotten along well with his estranged sisters. Though complete opposites in opinion, it is said that he enjoyed debating and speaking to Mary, and she to him. Elizabeth often sewed for her little brother. Edward was partly responsible for Henry's reconciliation with his daughters, and Edward was very close to Catherine Parr, his stepmother. In 1543, the entire family came together for Christmas, something Henry hadn't done in a very long time.
- Was betrothed to a Scottish princess. However, when Scotland invaded for the French, Henry was beyond outraged. This led to the "Rough Wooing," a war which would devastate Scotland well after Henry had died.
- After Henry VIII died, Edward, now King Edward VI, made it QUITE clear from the get-go that he was Protestant, and would be continuing the reforms of his father. At his coronation, he swore to remove all traces of religious icons and the bishoprics from the realm.
- Never was a king in his own right, but instead ruled with a regency council of Protestant lords, who, now blessed with real power, began to purge the Catholics in earnest. People lost livelihoods, status, and even their lives.
- Dealt with a bit of a political crisis. His sister, Elizabeth, and one of his advisors, Thomas Seymour, were becoming entirely too close. Seymour was an opportunist, but seems to have generally cared for the princess, and she for him. However, the relationship was dangerous and unpopular. Edward was obliged to side with the rest of the council. Seymour was beheaded on charges of treason. (This had become rather the normal way to deal with things during the Tudor Dynasty.)
- Edward had a rocky reign. Rebellions were becoming common. The Protestants and Catholics were always at each others' throats. The Catholics believe in Latin masses, the Protestants in English. When the protestants created an English prayerbook, the Catholics deemed them heretical. In addition, the peasants were up in arms because landlords were taking more and more common land away from the people and giving it to themselves. Edward Seymour, the king's uncle, did his best to put down these uprisings, but it began to become clear that the English government was losing ground.
- Edward Seymour soon fell out of favor with his fellow councilors, was accused of gross mismanagement of the realm, and was, of course, beheaded in what can only be described as a coup d'etat by his political rivals. Edward VI was caught in the middle, and could not save his uncle from the block.
- John Dudley, lord Northumberland, quickly filled the power vacuum that was left. His regime has been seen as a power grabbing bunch of schemers, but recent evidence points out that they did improve England quite a bit, and that Edward was becoming more and more involved in day to day affairs. However, these guys were RAMPANTLY Protestant, as was the king. By age 14, Edward was more or less an active part of the regency council, and was showing great promise.... as well as a great passion for reform.
- Thomas Cranmer, now Archbishop of Canterbury, proposed a new sort of religion. This "Church of England" would keep most of the ritual of the Catholics, while rejecting the pope. Religious icons would be destroyed, but people could continue to pray in the manner in which they were accustomed. This suited Edward VI just fine, as he trusted Cranmer implicitly, and did not want to alienate the catholics, just reform them. (After all, his own sister was a Catholic.) Cranmer also advised that Edward continue his father's work of confiscating church land and tearing down monasteries. Edward was only too glad to do so.
- Edward commissioned an English prayer book, which was written by Cranmer. This book is still used as the core of the Church of England today. It also made religion more accessible to the English people, who could now pray in their homes, without a priest as an intermediary. The transubstantiation was eliminated, but bread and wine was still allowed... (they just didn't say it was the body and blood of Christ.) Confession was eliminated, etc, etc.
- Things were going well for Edward VI and his council. Now 16, it appeared that he would finally be getting ready to be a real king. Talks were underway to find a suitable wife for him, and Edward was genuinely popular with most people... (except the Catholics, of course...) Then... disaster struck.
- Edward fell ill... he had beaten measles and smallpox at 15, but the diseases had taken their toll... now weak and frail, he contracted what was most likely tuberculosis. His legs were swollen so badly he could not walk, he coughed up black phlegm and red blood. Even he knew he was dying.
- Now resolved to die, he faced a real crisis. If he died childless, the kingdom would pass to Mary, his eldest sister. This was bad on many counts.... for one, she was a woman, and England had never had a queen in her own right. Secondly, Mary was an unapologetic Catholic, as her mother had been, and Edward knew it. Thirdly, Mary was now a bitter, middle aged woman who was still carrying a grudge for the mistreatment of her mother at the hands of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Edward feared not only for his Protestant Councilors, but also 20 year old Elizabeth, who would be thrown into danger if Mary became queen.
- On his deathbed, Edward VI wrote up a bold and rather amazingly badly thought out plan. When he died, he decided to hand the kingdom to yet another woman, his beloved cousin Jane Grey. (Remember the Grey family?) He officially disowned his sisters, leaving them bastards once again. This was done not to spite Elizabeth, but to keep Mary from the throne.
- The reason for Jane Grey was religious as well as political. Jane was a Protestant... but she had also married Lord Guilford Dudley... son of John Dudley, head of the regency council. Jane was intelligent, but incredibly naive. She and Edward were good friends. Of course John Dudley was happy to announce that this act of succession was legitimate, and that the king's word was law. SURELY Lord Dudley of Northumberland did not IN ANY WAY manipulate the dying king, right? RIGHT? Well, whether he did or not, it all seemed pretty damned convenient.
- On the 1st of July, Edward made his sad final appearance. The people of England were horrified to see a ravaged scarecrow of a boy, who had once, like his father, been so strong and hale. Edward's appearance was so awful, that he refused to be seen again. He died 5 days later. Lady Jane Grey became the new QUEEN of England. She had no idea. When she heard the news, she fainted.
Edward VI was popular and young, and so was widely mourned by everyone...
Well... except the Catholics... and his sister Mary.
But that's a story for next time.