Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that the attempt to exclude Mary Tudor from the throne in 1553 was a serious threat to the Tudor dynasty.
Source A: The Privy Council reject Mary’s claim to the throne.
Our answer is to inform you that our said Sovereign Lady Jane is after the death of King Edward VI in possession of the imperial crown of this realm, not only by good order of old laws of this realm, but also by your late King’s open letters signed with his own hand and sealed with the great seal of England in the presence of many nobles, councilors and judges. For many acts of parliament have made you illegitimate and unable to inherit the imperial crown of this realm.
The Privy Council, letter to Mary Tudor, 9 July 1553
Source B: An anonymous writer recounts the reaction to the proclamation of Jane Grey as Queen.
After King Edward’s death the Council proclaimed Lady Jane as queen. But, partly because of the right of Mary’s title and partly because of the malice that the people bore to the Duke of Northumberland for the death of the Duke of Somerset and his other cruelty, the majority of the commons with some nobles sided with Lady Mary, who proclaimed herself queen.
From an anonymous account of events which John Foxe later used as a source for ‘Acts and Monuments’ in the mid 1550s.
Source C:
Sorrowfully, from Greenwich I did straight depart To London, to a house which bore our name. My brothers guessed by my heavy heart The King was dead, and I confessed the same: The covering up of his death I did report, Their meaning to proclaim Queen Jane I told.
And, though I did not like the religion [Roman Catholicism] In my mind that wicked motion to displace right heirs I did detest. Causeless to proffer any injury I meant it not, but sought for remedy.
Poetical autobiography of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, written before 1571
Source D: A writer describes events after the proclamation of Jane Grey as Queen.
The Duke of Northumberland set out from London. Meanwhile, Mary withdrew into Norfolk and Suffolk where she understood the Duke’s name to be much hated for subduing the rebels under King Edward. Gathering to her such aid of the commons as she might, she stayed within Framlingham Castle.
The first to resort to her were the Suffolk men who, being always forward in promoting the proceedings of the gospel, promised her their aid provided she would promise them no innovations would be made in religion. She agreed.
John Foxe, Acts and Monuments, vol VI, written in the mid 1550s.
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