MID-TUDOR CRISIS
This is the traditional view of historians that, during Edward’s and Mary’s reigns, English government and society were on the verge of collapse. This was the result of weak rulers, economic pressure, rebellions, and religious upheaval. Although there was no collapse, this was an unproductive period of government. Also, these reigns are far less important than those of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. This view was introduced by Pollard and Bindoff, and remained popular throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries. It was developed by Whitney Jones in his The Mid-Tudor Crisis 1539-1563 (1973)- he argued that there were eight key elements of the “crisis”.
The Whitney Jones Theory
1. Weak rulers
2. Economic problems
3. Rebellions
4. Faction fighting and unstable government
5. Foreign Policy Failures
6. Local Grievances
7. Religious Upheaval
8. Succession Crisis
- Edward VI was merely the pawn of Somerset and Northumberland
- Somerset genuinely cared about the people of England, but was a poor politician; his policies were a major cause of the 1549 rebellions
- Northumberland was a better politician, but his policies were morally questionable, and benefitted the rich at the expense of the poor
- Mary I was intolerant and dogmatic; this was demonstrated by the burning of heretics. She appeared to be controlled by Philip.
2. Economic problems
- Real wages fell by as much as 60% in this period, (a time when 80% of the average worker's wages were spent on food.)
- Debasement of the coinage to pay for foreign wars, and population growth were the major causes of economic problems
3. Rebellions
- The Western Rebellion of 1549 was largely a reaction to Somerset’s religious reforms
- Kett’s Rebellion of the same year was caused by economic factors
- Wyatt’s Rebellion can be traced to Mary’s marriage to Philip, among other factors
4. Faction fighting and unstable government
- Somerset came to power after a power struggle between conservative and radical elements within Henry’s government.
- Despite the execution of his brother, Somerset continued to be the victim of faction fighting, ultimately leading to the rise of Northumberland
- Northumberland himself had to quell an attempted coup by Somerset
5. Foreign Policy Failures
- Somerset’s war with Scotland= unsuccessful; it was ended by Northumberland
- This war also led to economic problems within England as well as social unrest
- Mary’s war with France (supporting Philip and the Spanish) led to loss of Calais
6. Local Grievances
- A vacuum of power in local politics allowed local problems to grow.
- The demands of Kett’s and Wyatt’s Rebellions are evidence of unsolved local issues growing into significant uprisings.
7. Religious Upheaval
- This was a period of huge religious change, including the moderate Protestant reform of Somerset, the radical Protestant reform of Northumberland, and the return to traditional Catholicism under Mary
- Religious reforms significant in both the Western Rebellion+Wyatt’s Rebellion
8. Succession Crisis
- Northumberland’s attempt at altering the succession angered not only Mary’s Catholic supporters but also others who accepted Mary as the rightful heir
- This was unsuccessful but led to further instability at the heart of government
Revisionist Interpretation
1. “Crisis” is an exaggeration
England was not in a state of crisis - this is shown by the fact that neither the Privy Council nor Parliament came close to collapsing. In reality, this “essential state machinery” survived intact.
2. Strength of the State
The state and the monarchy were strong enough to survive short-term political manoeuvrings (as shown by the unsuccessful coups of Thomas Seymour, Somerset, and finally Northumberland in 1553.) Although there was faction fighting, it stayed within the Council rather than destabilising wider society.
3. Continuity in Government
Several experienced figures stayed in office throughout the period - including William Paget, William Herbert and William Cecil. This provided continuity and stability.
4. Comparisons with other periods
The religious and economic problems of this period can be traced back to Henry VIII’s reign. Also, problems in other periods were actually greater. Examples include the agrarian crisis of 1596-8 (worse than the cloth crisis of 1551), the Pilgrimage of Grace of 1536 (more serious than the three Mid Tudor rebellions), and the Spanish Armada (more of a threat than the Scottish and French wars under Somerset and Mary)
5. The three Rebellions were not a major threat
Many of the rebels were more concerned about local issues, and most rebels remained loyal to the monarchs. (Some of Kett’s rebels even shouted “God Save the King!”) The class antagonisms related to the rebellions have been exaggerated; also, all three rebellions were marred by mistakes and disorganisation
6. Economic Problems have been exaggerated
The traditional “Mid Tudor Crisis” theory focuses on agricultural workers – this ignores the fact that this period saw the beginnings of industrialisation in England. The focus on pay misses the point that many workers were paid in kind (ie they were given food and accommodation.)
7. Strengths of the Rulers
Although Edward was weak, Somerset and Northumberland were more effective than has traditionally been recognised. In particular, Northumberland inherited many problems and dealt with them efficiently. Mary had achievements in military and economic policy; her failures were the result of bad luck and a lack of time. Ultimately, during this period, civil war was avoided, Parliament survived, England remained independent, and important financial reforms took place.
England was not in a state of crisis - this is shown by the fact that neither the Privy Council nor Parliament came close to collapsing. In reality, this “essential state machinery” survived intact.
2. Strength of the State
The state and the monarchy were strong enough to survive short-term political manoeuvrings (as shown by the unsuccessful coups of Thomas Seymour, Somerset, and finally Northumberland in 1553.) Although there was faction fighting, it stayed within the Council rather than destabilising wider society.
3. Continuity in Government
Several experienced figures stayed in office throughout the period - including William Paget, William Herbert and William Cecil. This provided continuity and stability.
4. Comparisons with other periods
The religious and economic problems of this period can be traced back to Henry VIII’s reign. Also, problems in other periods were actually greater. Examples include the agrarian crisis of 1596-8 (worse than the cloth crisis of 1551), the Pilgrimage of Grace of 1536 (more serious than the three Mid Tudor rebellions), and the Spanish Armada (more of a threat than the Scottish and French wars under Somerset and Mary)
5. The three Rebellions were not a major threat
Many of the rebels were more concerned about local issues, and most rebels remained loyal to the monarchs. (Some of Kett’s rebels even shouted “God Save the King!”) The class antagonisms related to the rebellions have been exaggerated; also, all three rebellions were marred by mistakes and disorganisation
6. Economic Problems have been exaggerated
The traditional “Mid Tudor Crisis” theory focuses on agricultural workers – this ignores the fact that this period saw the beginnings of industrialisation in England. The focus on pay misses the point that many workers were paid in kind (ie they were given food and accommodation.)
7. Strengths of the Rulers
Although Edward was weak, Somerset and Northumberland were more effective than has traditionally been recognised. In particular, Northumberland inherited many problems and dealt with them efficiently. Mary had achievements in military and economic policy; her failures were the result of bad luck and a lack of time. Ultimately, during this period, civil war was avoided, Parliament survived, England remained independent, and important financial reforms took place.
Traditionalist Argument:
|
|