Factional Conflict under Somerset and Northumberland

• Factions began to form during the Tudor rule since monarchs had personal control over the government.
• To gain access to and influence over the ruler, an informal grouping of men of the Council and the Chamber was created.
• Factions formed along religious lines in the later part of Henry VIII's reign.
• By the time of his death, the Reformist faction in his government triumphed over the Catholics.
• During the reign of Edward VI, the faction became a powerful part of Tudor politics.

Somerset's Protectorate

Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, emerged as the leading figure in the government in 1547 with his election as the Lord Protector of the Realm. He was supported by the Reformists who dominated the Regency Council. In return, his supporters were rewarded under the 'unfulfilled gifts' clause, which amounted to £27,053 worth of Crown lands.

Seymour, who was previously Earl of Hertford, made himself the Duke of Somerset. Furthermore, he made Baron Lisle the Earl of Warwick and William Parr the Marquess of Northampton.

As a protestant, Somerset supported the reforms in the Catholic Church and soon began making changes to the Church of England. His programme of religious reformation was accompanied by bold measures of political, social and agrarian reform.

Duke of Somerset

Accomplishments as Lord Protector

1. The Battle of Pinkle Ceugh was won against Scotland.
2. Heresy and nearly all treason laws were revoked.
3. Book of Common Prayer was introduced under the Act of Uniformity. However, his position in the kingdom came with envy and some opposition including from his younger brother, Thomas Seymour. Thomas wanted the governorship of the king's person and a greater share of power since he was also the king's uncle.

Thomas Seymour

Somerset, who wished to solve the matter, offered Thomas a barony, an appointment to the Lord Admiralship, and a seat on the Privy Council. Craving more power, Thomas declined the offer and tried to turn Edward VI against Somerset by smuggling pocket money to the child king. Edward VI deferred Thomas' actions to the council. Thomas was arrested on various charges and executed on 20 March 1549.

Western Rebellion

Book of Common Prayer

The Western Rebellion was a revolt against the introduction of church services in English. The revolt broke out in Cornwall with the clergy and commoners fighting against the removal of religious images from parish churches and killing a government official. Weavers and other commoners destroyed hedges and fences. Somerset convinced Edward VI to pardon all those people who participated in tearing down hedges that enclosed common land.

His sympathy towards the rebels made him popular among the common people. However, the nobility and gentry saw it as a support to the rebel cause which led to another rebellion.

Kett's Rebellion

The revolt in Norwich was headed by a landowner, Robert Kett, as he persuaded other landowners to enclose the public land. The rebels listed various demands and elected a governing council of representatives from various villages. Somerset responded with a conciliatory approach, in which the rebels, who would disperse peacefully, would be pardoned. The people refused to disperse; military troops were then sent. The first troop under William Parr was defeated and was forced to abandon Norwich. Somerset then sent another troop under John Dudley; this time Kett was captured after several days of street fighting.

Around 49 were executed, whilst Kett, who refused to be pardoned, was sent to the Tower of London and was hanged. Somerset's actions were disliked by the nobility and gentry who believed that his sympathy inspired more people to join the uprising and that the situation would have not worsened if the first uprising had been controlled with military forces.

Northumberland's Protectorate

Duke of Northumberland

In February 1550, John Dudley, Earl of Warwick who later became Duke of Northumberland succeeded Somerset's position as the King's Protector. Northumberland surrounded the King with members of his faction who were also reformists including Edward's tutor Sir John Cheke and Sir John Gates who remained in control of the dry stamp. Whilst the factional struggle impacted Edward VI's reign, it was short-lived and did not threaten the monarchy. The administration remained efficient and continued to function.

Unlike his predecessor, Northumberland ruled as Lord President of the council, leading a distinctly conciliar government which was less autocratic than under Somerset. Furthermore, he sought to introduce Edward VI into business.

Accomplishments as Lord President of the Council

1. Treaty of Boulogne 1550 (with France) and Treaty of Norham 1551 (with Scotland) were signed.
2. Modernised the government structure of the country and its financial administration.
3. Repealed laws that were against enclosure and introduced countrywide policing on a local basis.
4. Enforced the English Reformation and promoted radical reformers to high Church positions. By 1552, Northumberland's power was indisputable but it depended on Edward VI's monarchy. If the King were to die young, Northumberland would be in a precarious position once Mary succeeded the throne. Therefore, he used his power and influence to persuade Edward VI to make the Devise for the Succession. His attempt to place Lady Jane Grey, who was then married to his youngest son Lord Guildford Dudley, on the throne failed miserably. He was tried and executed in 1553.