‘The period 1547-58 is justifiably called a Mid-Tudor Crisis’ How far do you agree?

There were numerous problems which affected the Edwardian and Marian reigns, it could be argued there was a combination of weak rulers, a number of financial and economic problems, a series of rebellions, religious reformations and foreign policy failures in the period of 1547-58. The term ‘crisis’ implies an imminent danger of a fundamental collapse in political, social, economic or religious terms with a revolutionary overhaul of the ruling powers in England, as a result of this not occurring it could be argued that in fact there was not a crisis also.

Succession was not always secure or consistent in Tudor times and this is underlined by Edward coming to the throne at the age of nine, as he was to young to rule he was placed under Somerset and Northumberland’s Protectorship (until he was of age to rule. This resulted in the manipulation of the young king and showed the crisis of authority Edward had in his rule with the manipulation of his device by Northumberland in an attempt to alter the legitimate line of succession and maintain power. Furthermore there is evidence to suggest that Somerset used his power to usurp royal authority and forged Edwards royal signature to pass various legislation. This shows that there was a Mid-Tudor Crisis as the authority of the monarch was in limbo until Edward became of age, which he never truly reached due to his death, which itself was manipulated in the changing of the device.