Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that
Somerset was to blame for the political instability during the reign of Edward VI.
Source A: By an Act of Attainder, Parliament judges the Admiral, Thomas Seymour, to be guilty of high treason.
In the first year of King Edward’s reign, the Lord Protector bears witness that the admiral, out of his great pride and ambition, would have seized control of his Majesty, to the King’s peril and the overthrow of the state. The admiral wrote secretly to Parliament to stir up disloyalty, and bribed members of the Privy Chamber to conspire with him to depose the Protector, appoint a new council and arrange the King’s marriage. The admiral disobeyed advice and sought to marry Princess Elizabeth, second in line to the throne, for which treasons he is imprisoned in the Tower.
Proceedings in Parliament, 17 January 1549
Source B: A contemporary relates the moves by councillors and nobles in October 1549 to overthrow Lord Protector Somerset.
After these revolts were pacified, many lords and councillors, disliking the government of the Lord Protector, started to plot to replace him. Each lord and councillor went through London armed, and had their servants likewise armed. They assembled at the house of the Earl of Warwick [later Duke of Northumberland]. Then they published a proclamation against him containing the following charges. First, that through his malicious and evil government, the Lord Protector had caused all the recent unrest in the country. Second, he was ambitious and sought his own glory. Third, that he ignored the advice of the councillors. Fourth, that he told untruths about the council to the King.
Richard Grafton, Chronicle entry for 1549, written in 1568
Source C: A contemporary living in London describes the events leading to the execution of Somerset in January 1552.
Somerset was the head of a conspiracy against the whole Council, and more particularly against the Duke of Northumberland, whom Somerset pursued with a deadly hatred, since Northumberland had been foremost among those who deprived him of the rank of Lord Protector. Somerset obtained some supporters from among the Council itself. They agreed that Northumberland should be murdered and they should take over the government of the kingdom. Somerset should lead the government, or even be restored to the office of Protector.
Francis Bourgoyne, letter to John Calvin, 22 January 1552
Source D: Parliament discusses the charges against the Duke of Somerset, former Lord Protector. It was commonly believed the evidence was a forgery.
Northumberland feared Somerset as the only person who might take away his control of the King. The duke planned to charge Somerset with treason for assembling men to kill him. The Lords debated but would not find Somerset guilty of any charge except ‘conspiring to imprison Northumberland’. Several lords thought it unfit that Northumberland should himself give his verdict because the actions were against him, but it was agreed that a peer of the realm could not be challenged. After great debate, they all acquitted Somerset of treason, but a majority found him guilty of felony and condemned him to death.
Parliamentary record of charges made against the Duke of Somerset, January 1552
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Answer
