How Successful Were the Religious Reforms of Somerset and Northumberland?

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        MARIA-PAULINA SOCARRAS-GARZON        12 URSULA

HOW SUCCESSFUL WERE THE RELIGIOUS REFORMS OF SOMERSET AND NORTHUMBERLAND?

In the short period stretching from 1547 to 1553, England saw a time of uncertainty created by the speed of political and religious change during the time of underage monarch Edward VI. The fact that Edward was an underage monarch was only one of the small problems faced during his reign which was worsened by the problems left by his father Henry VIII. Religious developments and reforms during Edward’s reign have often been seen as cautious and moderate reform under the Duke of Somerset and more radical changes under the Duke of Northumberland. There is some truth in this notion, though it is something of an over-simplification. Needless to say, there could be little doubt that in 1547 there would be some moves toward reforms, the question being how successful they actually were.

From 1547 to 1549 the country was officially under the control of Edward Seymour (Edward VI’s uncle, later known as the Duke of Somerset). Seymour was declared Protector and governor of the King’s person by the Privy Council set up by Henry VIII in preparation for his death. Seymour quickly overcame many enemies on the council and assumed control of both council and control. He titled himself ‘Lord Protector’ during his two years in power, and rarely put the council into good use. During his time in power Somerset proved he was a soldier and not a politician and seemed to be far more concerned with himself than with King Edward. He was often seen as “singly ill-suited for the post” and “rude, harsh and arrogant”. This shows that Somerset as a person was not so popular.

Religious changes under Somerset moved in a more Protestant direction. Initially this was a fairly cautious approach; Somerset wanted "to appeal to as wide a range of opinion as possible".   During the last few years of Henry VIII’s reign he allied himself with the evangelicals. King Edward was given a Protestant education which shows a reasonable expectation that there was a vigilant move in the Protestant direction. Under Somerset, Protestants who had previously fled to Europe after the six articles, such as Hooper, Becon, and Turner, all returned. Many were writers banned under Henry VIII, along with Luther and other European Protestants. At this time Archbishop Cranmer was desperate to provide a new and definitive definition of doctrine and so invited a number of important Lutherans to England. This was a real time for debate in the Privy Council as it was afraid of swinging too far towards Protestantism, less it caused at Roman Catholic backlash. As a compromise, the heresy and treason laws of Henry VIII were not enforced. However, in 1549, Cranmer contributed to the crisis by introducing the 1549 Prayer Book, and the First Act of Uniformity.  This was felt by some (devout Catholics) to be too extreme, (although in reality the interpretation of the Eucharist was ambiguous) and Cranmer, who had a strong influence on the prayer book can also be held accountable.    Religious grievances, based on the measures adopted by Somerset, had a large part to play in both Kett's and the Western rebellion in 1549, as these rebellions were both marked by religious conservatism.  These rebellions were the main point of the crisis – so much so, they led to Somerset's removal from power.  He had moved in too Protestant a direction for the Catholics, but on the other hand, not far enough for the radical reformers.  In 1547, by passing the Treason Act, there was increased freedom for the discussion of doctrine.  This debate had been opened in the reign of Henry, and Somerset was enabling it to continue.   This led to many pamphlets being produced, especially by the radicals, which only inflamed the situation further, as neither extremes felt that they had benefited from his reforms. In question of his success of his religious reforms, Somerset “simply lacked the intelligence and skill needed to carry out improvements for which the state of the nation called”. The fact that he was Protestant himself and seemed to be leaning in a more Protestant bearing greatly displeased the Roman Catholics and yet he was also very unsuccessful in satisfying the more radical protestants due to the fact his moves were far too moderate for their disposition.            

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The Duke of Somerset fell from power on October 1549 having his confidence undermined by the rebellions taking place in England at the time. Many councillors resented him for taking the title of ‘Lord Protector’ and for not being properly consulted about matters of policy. It is not immediately clear how religion was to be affected by the fall of the Duke of Somerset. However many historians are convinced of the Duke of Northumberland’s (Somerset’s successor) genuine belief in Protestantism. His support for the radical John Hooper certainly supports this suggestion. When Northumberland came into power in 1550, his ...

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This is a very well written response that advances a clear argument and offers a clear judgment in the conclusion. It is however, quite narrow in its focus with little reference to the wider public's reaction to the reforms and quotes should have been attributed to sources. 4 out of 5 stars.