The Mid-Tudor Crisis 1547–1558

The period between Henry VIII's death in January 1547 and Elizabeth I's accession in November 1558 has traditionally been characterised as a "mid-Tudor crisis" — an era of weak government, religious turmoil, economic distress, and social unrest. Two child or controversial monarchs (Edward VI and Mary I), two powerful protectors, and dramatic reversals of religious policy make this one of the most turbulent periods in Tudor history. Yet revisionist historians have questioned whether "crisis" is the right word.

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Edward VI and the Duke of Somerset 1547–1549

Edward VI was nine years old when he became king on 28 January 1547. Government was conducted by a regency council, quickly dominated by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset (the king's maternal uncle), who assumed the title of Lord Protector.

Somerset's Character and Policies