The Nine Year Old King Of England | Edward VI: The Boy King | Real Royalty
Real Royalty・2 minutes read
King Henry the Eighth's son Edward has a tumultuous reign as the Protestant King of England, facing challenges from family members and religious conflicts, ultimately leading to the ascension of his Catholic sister Mary to the throne. Edward's attempts to secure a Protestant succession through his will fail, paving the way for a Catholic monarch's rule in England.
Insights
- King Henry the Eighth's son, Edward, became King of England at the age of nine, inheriting a Protestant legacy that shaped his reign's radical reforms and religious conflicts.
- Edward's strategic succession plan aimed to maintain Protestant rule by excluding his Catholic half-sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, in favor of Lady Jane Grey, showcasing his commitment to religious reform despite the eventual ascension of Mary, the Catholic queen.
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Recent questions
Who was King Henry VIII's male heir?
Edward
How did Edward's Protestant beliefs influence his reign?
Radically
What led to the tension between Edward and his sister Mary?
Religion
How did Edward's illness impact his succession plans?
Exclusion
Why did Edward's scheme to make Lady Jane Grey his heir fail?
Tudor Monarch
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Summary
00:00
"Edward VI: Protestant King's Turbulent Reign"
- King Henry the Eighth finally fathers a male heir, Edward, after three wives and two daughters, born on October 12, 1537, at Hampton Court.
- Edward's christening is a grand affair, with tapestries, trumpets, and a silver font filled with warm water, proclaiming him Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester.
- Queen Jane Seymour, Edward's mother, tragically dies from puerperal fever shortly after his birth, leaving Edward to be raised amongst women and his devoted nurses.
- Edward's childhood is spent in various royal residences, including a house in Hertfordshire where his half-sisters Mary and Elizabeth also reside.
- Edward's education begins at age six under Dr. Richard Cox, a Protestant tutor, influencing Edward's strong adoption of Protestantism.
- Edward's father, King Henry VIII, passes away in 1547, leaving Edward to inherit the throne at the age of nine, with his uncle Edward Seymour becoming Lord Protector.
- Edward's coronation at Westminster Abbey at age nine marks the start of a radical reign, with Archbishop Cranmer delivering a sermon challenging the Church of England's authority.
- Edward's reign sees the destruction of Catholic imagery in churches, replaced by Edward's Royal Arms, aligning with his Protestant beliefs.
- Edward's uncle, Lord Seymour, attempts to usurp power by bribing the young king, leading to his condemnation for treason and beheading.
- A rebellion against the new prayer book in 1549 leads to Edward's realization of the unrest in his kingdom, culminating in his uncle Somerset's failed attempt to secure power, resulting in his arrest and eventual death.
22:57
Edward's Reign: Protestant Reforms and Succession Plans
- Edward, at 13, was ready to step into his father's shoes, with a council ruling in his name.
- Edward's maturity and coldness were evident in his handling of his uncle's executions.
- Edward's confrontation with his sister Mary over religion, particularly the 1549 prayer book, led to tension.
- Mary's devout Catholicism clashed with Edward's Protestant reforms, sparking resistance.
- Mary sought help from the Emperor Charles V to flee Edward's Protestant England.
- Edward's decisive move towards a Protestant England was the 1552 prayer book, eliminating Catholic elements.
- Edward's progress in 1552 showcased his interest in fortifications, textile markets, and church reform.
- Edward's ambition for England included militarization, centralizing the economy, and enforcing a puritanical religion.
- Edward's illness, diagnosed as consumption, led to his succession concerns and exclusion of Mary and Elizabeth.
- Edward's devised succession plan favored the descendants of his aunt Mary, excluding Mary and Elizabeth.
45:06
Protestant Edward's Will Altered for Lady Jane
- Edward, a Protestant, altered his will to make Lady Jane Grey his heir by changing "heirs male" to "heirs male" with three strokes of the pen, ensuring a Protestant succession. Despite his efforts, his scheme failed as the English wanted a true Tudor monarch, leading to the eventual rise of Mary, a Catholic queen.
