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Why was Edward VI so sickly?
As his reign descended into chaos and disorder, Edward's health began to fail. In April 1552, he contracted measles. Although he recovered, his immune system was fatally weakened, and he soon fell prey to what was almost certainly tuberculosis.
What happened to Edward VI after he died?
Edward VI died of tuberculosis in 1553. Queen Mary, sometimes known as "Bloody Mary." After Edward's death in 1553, Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed queen by her father-in-law, the Duke of Northumberland.
At what age did Edward VI die?
15 years (1537–1553)Edward VI / Age at deathHis only legitimate son to survive infancy, Edward VI, became king at nine years old and died when he was only 15. Here are six things you might not know about Henry's short-lived heir…
What illness did Edward IV have?
Edward IV, having been obese, but otherwise apparently in good health, died after an acute illness of only a few days in April 1483. Ten years previously he had been a supremely fit warrior king.
Why did Lady Jane Grey only rule for 9 days?
Lady Jane Grey was queen for just nine days, as part of an unsuccessful bid to prevent the accession of the Catholic Mary Tudor. The great-granddaughter of Henry VII, Jane inherited the crown from her cousin Edward VI on 9 July 1553.
How did Jane GREY lose the throne?
After only nine days as the monarch of England, Lady Jane Grey is deposed in favor of her cousin Mary. The 15-year-old Lady Jane, beautiful and intelligent, had only reluctantly agreed to be put on the throne. The decision would result in her execution.
How did Catherine Parr die?
puerperal feverTragically she contracted puerperal fever soon after being delivered of a healthy daughter, and died on 5 September 1548.
Was Edward VI a good king?
Edward VI, the boy king, a monarch with a famous and imposing father, was never able to attain real power as king. His reign was dominated by others, symptomatic of the power-plays and infighting dominating the court. Edward VI was a figurehead, nothing more, in a time of great change.
Was Edward IV a good king?
By no means the perfect King – he was known to misjudge a number of political situations, particularly in relation to his duplicitous rival the French King, Louis XI – Edward will be remembered most famously as a successful military commander and the first Yorkist claimant to the throne to reign as King.
What King went crazy from syphilis?
Syphilis existed in medieval Europe, and it caused the death of England's King Edward IV. That's the surprising argument of Smith College scholar Marylynn Salmon, just published in The Medieval Globe, a history journal.
What did Edward 4 look like?
King Edward IV was a very tall man, his skeleton, exhumed in 1789, measured 6 feet 3-3/4 inches in height. Edward was well renowned for his fair complexion and good looks.
Why do they call Elizabeth the White Queen?
As the wife of Edward of York, Elizabeth Woodville was given the unofficial title of the 'White' Queen, which is how she is remembered today. It was a name bestowed upon her during the British civil war of the 1400s, known as 'The Wars of the Roses' — a white rose was the symbol of the house of York.
Where is Edward VI buried?
August 8, 1553Edward VI / Date of burial
Are there any living descendants of Henry the 8th?
Catherine Middleton may have royal ancestry, after all, with a line of descent from Henry VIII, Well, how can that be as Henry has no descendants. None of his three children, Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward, had issue, which means no descendants.
Who was Edward VI?
Edward VI, (born October 12, 1537, London, England—died July 6, 1553, London), king of England and Ireland from 1547 to 1553. Edward was King Henry VIII ’s only legitimate son; his mother, Henry’s third wife, Jane Seymour, died 12 days after his birth. Although Edward has traditionally been viewed as a frail child who was never in good health, ...
What was the first disease that Edward VI had?
Coronation of Edward VI, stained glass, Mansion House, London. In January 1553 Edward showed the first signs of tuberculosis, and by May it was evident that the disease would be fatal.
Who was the king of England in 1547?
United Kingdom: Edward VI (1547–53) Henry was succeeded by his nine-year-old son, Edward VI , but real power passed to his brother-in-law, Edward Seymour, earl... On January 28, 1547, Henry VIII died, and Edward, then age nine, succeeded to the throne.
Who was Edward Seymour's uncle?
Henry had decreed that during Edward’s minority the government was to be run by a council of regency, but in fact Edward’s uncle, Edward Seymour, duke of Somerset, wielded almost supreme power as regent, with the title of protector. Factions soon developed around the king.
What religion was Edward VI?
Religion. Anglicanism. Signature. Edward VI (12 October 1537 – 6 July 1553) was the King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death in 1553. He was crowned on 20 February at the age of nine. Edward was the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour and England's first monarch to be raised as a Protestant.
Who was Henry VIII buried in?
The following day, the nobles of the realm made their obeisance to Edward at the Tower, and Seymour was announced as Protector. Henry VIII was buried at Windsor on 16 February, in the same tomb as Jane Seymour, as he had wished. Edward VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey four days later on Sunday 20 February.
What was Edward's greatest influence on the king?
The king's greatest influence was in matters of religion, where the council followed the strongly Protestant policy that Edward favoured.
What was Somerset's coup d'état?
The sequence of events that led to Somerset's removal from power has often been called a coup d'état. By 1 October 1549, Somerset had been alerted that his rule faced a serious threat. He issued a proclamation calling for assistance, took possession of the king's person, and withdrew for safety to the fortified Windsor Castle, where Edward wrote, "Me thinks I am in prison". Meanwhile, a united council published details of Somerset's government mismanagement. They made clear that the Protector's power came from them, not from Henry VIII's will. On 11 October, the council had Somerset arrested and brought the king to Richmond. Edward summarised the charges against Somerset in his Chronicle: "ambition, vainglory, entering into rash wars in mine youth, negligent looking on Newhaven, enriching himself of my treasure, following his own opinion, and doing all by his own authority, etc." In February 1550, John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, emerged as the leader of the council and, in effect, as Somerset's successor. Although Somerset was released from the Tower and restored to the council, he was executed for felony in January 1552 after scheming to overthrow Dudley's regime. Edward noted his uncle's death in his Chronicle: "the duke of Somerset had his head cut off upon Tower Hill between eight and nine o'clock in the morning".
What was the social unrest in England in 1548?
During 1548, England was subject to social unrest. After April 1549, a series of armed revolts broke out, fuelled by various religious and agrarian grievances. The two most serious rebellions, which required major military intervention to put down, were in Devon and Cornwall and in Norfolk. The first, sometimes called the Prayer Book Rebellion, arose from the imposition of Protestantism, and the second, led by a tradesman called Robert Kett, mainly from the encroachment of landlords on common grazing ground. A complex aspect of the social unrest was that the protesters believed they were acting legitimately against enclosing landlords with the Protector's support, convinced that the landlords were the lawbreakers.
How many executors did Henry VIII have?
Henry VIII's will named sixteen executors, who were to act as Edward's council until he reached the age of eighteen. These executors were supplemented by twelve men "of counsail" who would assist the executors when called on. The final state of Henry VIII's will has been the subject of controversy. Some historians suggest that those close to the king manipulated either him or the will itself to ensure a share-out of power to their benefit, both material and religious. In this reading, the composition of the Privy Chamber shifted towards the end of 1546 in favour of the reforming faction. In addition, two leading conservative Privy Councillors were removed from the centre of power.
How old was Edward when he wrote to his father and stepmother?
The nine-year-old Edward wrote to his father and stepmother on 10 January 1547 from Hertford thanking them for his new year's gift of their portraits from life. By 28 January 1547, Henry VIII was dead. Those close to the throne, led by Edward Seymour and William Paget, agreed to delay the announcement of the king's death until arrangements had been made for a smooth succession. Seymour and Sir Anthony Browne, the Master of the Horse, rode to collect Edward from Hertford and brought him to Enfield, where Lady Elizabeth was living. He and Elizabeth were then told of the death of their father and heard a reading of the will.
What disease did Edward the Great die from?
A surgeon opened Edward’s chest after his death and decreed the king had died of a lung disease. The lungs had two great ulcers which were putrefied.
What was Edward's illness before he died?
It’s possible Edward had been exposed to tuberculosis before his bout with the measles. One of the known consequences of measles is the suppression of the immune system which allows latent infection to be exposed.
What was Edward Seymour's condition?
He may have had a slight scoliosis of the spine. The condition was also noted in his maternal uncle, Edward Seymour, so it may have been hereditary. In that same month, Edward became ill with a quartan fever, a form of malaria. For about ten days, Edward was so ill his life was believed to be lost.
What was Edward's last illness?
On February 15, 1553, Edward became sick with a feverish cold. His elder sister Mary came to visit him in an effort to repair their relationship which was fragile due to religious differences. Edward was bedridden during the meeting with a violent cough. Most of what we know of Edward’s last illness comes from the writings of the Imperial ambassador, Jean Scheyfvre. He was in intimate contact with John Banister, a twenty-one year old medical student whose father was a minor official in the King’s household.
What did Edward become ill-tempered with?
Edward became ill-tempered with the exacting manner of the good doctor and began to call him a knave and fool. The doctor finally allowed him some meat but Edward was becoming fed up and asked the doctor to leave. This was a good sign that he was recovering which he eventually did.
Why did Edward appear at the window?
On July 1, Edward appeared at a window possibly to counter rumors that he was already dead. His appearance did not inspire those who saw him. He was wasted and thin. Crowds gathered on July 2 and 3, hopeful he would emerge again. But one of his gentlemen announced that the air was too chill for him to appear.
How long did Edward's fever last?
While Scheyfvre reports that Edward had a fever that never breaks, on June 15, he was attacked by a violent, hot fever that lasted twenty-four hours. This happened again two days later. Edward no longer had the strength to rid his own body of certain humors but when he did, they had a terrible stench.
How did Edward VI die?
Edward VI’s death was not a shock to those around him; he had been ill for some time. It had started with a cough in early January 1553, and when his half-sister, Mary, visited him on the 10th February, she found him bedridden. Although he had rallied at various points, by the 20th May, the Imperial Ambassador, Jehan Scheyfve, described Edward’s condition as “desperate”, and on the 30th May he wrote:
When did King Edward die?
Between 8 and 9pm on 6th July 1553 King Edward VI lay dying at Greenwich Palace. He prayed:
What was Edward VI's plan for the succession?
It was while he was confined and wasting away that Edward VI wrote his “Devise for the Succession”, his plan to disinherit his illegitimate half-sisters and “to create a new dynasty, one founded upon the true faith”. The original draft stipulated that the Crown would descend through the male heirs of Frances, Duchess of Suffolk, and the male heirs of her children, if Edward died childless. The problem was that there were no male heirs yet, so when Edward made a turn for the worse, he decided to change the Device to read: “To the Lady Fraunceses heirs males, if she have any such issue before my death to the Lady Jane and her heirs males.” Edward had decided on Lady Jane Grey as his heir if she or her mother did not produce a male heir in time.
What did Edward demand from the judges?
He then demanded that the judges should accept his wishes and legalise his “Devise”, and the judges were told that to refuse the King’s command would be seen as treason. Edward got his wish, and the letters patent were drawn up there and then.
Who was the Queen of Spain when Edward VI died?
King Edward VI was no more, and Lady Jane Grey was now queen, although it was to be a rather short-lived reign.
Who took the dying king in his arms?
Then, Sir Henry Sidney, one of the Chief Gentlemen of his Privy Chamber, took the dying King in his arms and Edward said “I am faint; Lord have mercy upon me, and take my spirit”, as indeed, his spirit was taken by his Father in Heaven. Edward VI’s death was not a shock to those around him; he had been ill for some time.
Has the King changed since the 11th?
They say it is hardly to be believed how much the King has changed since the 11th.”. On 19th June, Scheyfve reported to the Emperor: “The King of England has sunk so rapidly since my last letter of the 15th, that the physicians no longer dare to answer for it that he will last one day more.
When did Edward VI die?
By late spring in 1553 it was obvious young King Edward VI was dying. It was a protracted demise, and the poor boy suffered terribly in his last few months.
When did Edward's father die?
Edward's father died in 1547 when he was only nine years old. Far too young to be a king, his father had selected a council of nobles to rule until Edward was old enough to fully assume the duties himself. (That said - there may have been some back-room dealings to arrange the power structure of the council before Henry's death was announced.)
Why did Henry bring Edward to court?
As he grew, Henry felt the danger lessened a little and brought him to court for holidays and ambassadorial events where Henry wanted to show off his children, etc. Even at court, Edward wouldn’t have spent much time in his father’s presence, and Henry was never recorded as being particularly good with children. His stepmother, Kateryn Parr, however, loved kids and wanted to make sure Henry’s three neglected children were treated kindly.
What did Edward the Young King write in his own hand?
The young king wrote this "devise" in his own hand - a will, of sorts. He may have hoped the people would obey his wishes in this regard, but the succession had already been enshrined through an Act of Parliament. Only another Act could overturn it - not a simple will. On the 12th of June, it was given to the judges of the King's Bench, who were ordered to turn it into a legal will, but they initially refused, believing it might be treasonous to alter the succession. Edward summoned them to his sickbed on the 15th and ordered them to prepare the documents with "with sharp words and angry countenance." He said he intended to present them to Parliament to be ratified, but of course, this was not to be.
What did Henry VIII say about Mary and Elizabeth?
On May 21, he wrote his "devise" for the succession. He declared that both of his sisters were illegitimate and ineligible to inherit the throne. Henry VIII had restored Mary and Elizabeth to the succession, but he had never reversed the declarations that both of them had been illegitimate.
What was the winter of 1552-1553?
Winter of 1552/1553 was a bad one for the young king. His immune system may have been compromised by the illness he'd suffered. In February, Edward was afflicted by fever and some sort of persistent respiratory infection.
Why did the doctors cover Edward with plaster?
They covered Edward with plasters, meant to "draw out" the bad humors in his system. One of the courtiers present claimed that a woman was admitted to the king's sickroom, promising she could cure him with her restoratives, but they only made the poor young man's limbs swell, and she was asked to leave.
Who was the protector of England under King Edward VI?
Since he was a boy-king, Edward needed a regent. Thomas Seymour (brother of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's third wife), an uncle of Edward VI, and the Duke of Somerset became the Protector of England. Under the influence of his adult advisors, Edward moved England toward a Protestant nation. In 1549, the First Act of Uniformity was ...
How did Mary die?
In 1558, Mary died of cancer. Her unhappy marriage was childless, and the next in line to the throne was her half-sister, Elizabeth.
Who replaced the Duke of Somerset?
In 1550, the Duke of Somerset was replaced by John Dudley as regent and Lord Protector of England. John Dudley proclaimed himself the Duke of Northumberland. The Duke of Somerset was executed in 1552. In 1553, the Duke of Northumberland persuaded Edward to make his (Northumberland's) daughter-in-law, and Edward's cousin, Lady Jane Grey, his heir.
Who was the man who snatched Elizabeth?
Years later in 1586, while still under house arrest, a man named Babington started a plot to assassinate Elizabeth, and place Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic, on the throne of England. Mary Queen of Scots was discovered as part of this plot, sending secret messages to Babington in wine barrels delivered to her home.
Overview
Succession crisis
In February 1553, Edward VI became ill, and by June, after several improvements and relapses, he was in a hopeless condition. The king's death and the succession of his Catholic half-sister Mary would jeopardise the English Reformation, and Edward's council and officers had many reasons to fear it. Edward himself opposed Mary's succession, not only on religious grounds but …
Early life
Edward was born on 12 October 1537 in his mother's room inside Hampton Court Palace, in Middlesex. He was the son of King Henry VIII by his third wife, Jane Seymour. Throughout the realm, the people greeted the birth of a male heir, "whom we hungered for so long", with joy and relief. Te Deums were sung in churches, bonfires lit, and "their was shott at the Tower that night above two th…
Accession
The nine-year-old Edward wrote to his father and stepmother on 10 January 1547 from Hertford thanking them for his new year's gift of their portraits from life. By 28 January, Henry VIII was dead. Those close to the throne, led by Edward Seymour and William Paget, agreed to delay the announcement of the king's death until arrangements had been made for a smooth succession. Seymour a…
Somerset Protectorate
Henry VIII's will named sixteen executors, who were to act as Edward's council until he reached the age of eighteen. These executors were supplemented by twelve men "of counsail" who would assist the executors when called on. The final state of Henry VIII's will has been the subject of controversy. Some historians suggest that those close to the king manipulated either him or the wi…
Northumberland's leadership
In contrast, Somerset's successor the Earl of Warwick, made Duke of Northumberland in 1551, was once regarded by historians merely as a grasping schemer who cynically elevated and enriched himself at the expense of the crown. Since the 1970s, the administrative and economic achievements of his regime have been recognised, and he has been credited with restoring the aut…
Reformation
In the matter of religion, the regime of Northumberland followed the same policy as that of Somerset, supporting an increasingly vigorous programme of reform. Although Edward VI's practical influence on government was limited, his intense Protestantism made a reforming administration obligatory; his succession was managed by the reforming faction, who continued in power throughout his reig…
Protestant legacy
Although Edward reigned for only six years and died at the age of 15, his reign made a lasting contribution to the English Reformation and the structure of the Church of England. The last decade of Henry VIII's reign had seen a partial stalling of the Reformation, a drifting back to Catholic values. By contrast, Edward's reign saw radical progress in the Reformation, with the Church transf…
Origins
Background
- In 1537, Henrys third wife Jane Seymour at last gave birth to the coveted male heir. He was named Edward and was destined to become King of England upon the death of his father in 1547. Edwards childhood was spent acquiring a humanist education in a protected and safe environment. His health was closely scrutinized by doctors who hovered over him, constantly ch…
Health
- In that same month, Edward became ill with a quartan fever, a form of malaria. For about ten days, Edward was so ill his life was believed to be lost. King Henry was distraught and dispatched his own physician, Dr. William Butts to attend Edward. Dr. Butts visited regularly and confined Edward to soups and broths when he was actually craving meat. Edward became ill-tempered w…
Later life
- After he became King, in October of 1550, Edwards personal diary goes blank. He was bedridden with a mysterious illness. All those around him didnt expect him to survive. Even the doctors gave up. All this news was kept very secret but by the end of the month, Edward had recovered and returned to his studies. Edward was never a robust physical specimen but he was able to enjoy t…
Death
- On February 15, 1553, Edward became sick with a feverish cold. His elder sister Mary came to visit him in an effort to repair their relationship which was fragile due to religious differences. Edward was bedridden during the meeting with a violent cough. Most of what we know of Edwards last illness comes from the writings of the Imperial ambassador...
Later years
- On May 17, Edward met with the French ambassadors but coughed and appeared weak. At the end of May he was wasting away rapidly and could not rest without opiates. His body was swollen, especially his head and his feet. During these agonizing days, Edward was cared for by two of the chief gentlemen of the bedchamber, Sir Thomas Wroth and Sir Henry Sidney, along w…
Aftermath
- By June 19, even the king had given up. On June 21, Edward ordered his new Devise be authenticated under letters patent. On June 24, Scheyfvre told the Holy Roman Emperor Edward could hardly breathe and rarely stirred. His body no longer performed its normal functions and his nails and hair were falling out and he was covered in scabs. Edwards last days must have been …
Symptoms
- A surgeon opened Edwards chest after his death and decreed the king had died of a lung disease. The lungs had two great ulcers which were putrefied. Some of the symptoms he exhibited such as the swelling of the legs, the failing pulse, the falling out of hair and nails could have been indicative of a reactivation of tuberculosis. However, he didnt exhibit the coughing up …
Prognosis
- Edwards biographer Jennifer Loach believes he suffered from a suppurating pulmonary infection which is corroborated by what the doctors found. She suggests his cold may have deteriorated into acute bilateral bronchopneumonia for which there was no treatment at that time. The infection would damage the bronchi and lungs causing abscesses. This would create the sputum mention…
Other sources
- Further reading: The Tudors: The Complete Story of Englands Most Notorious Dynasty by G.J. Meyer, Edward VI: The Lost King of England by Chris Skidmore, Edward VI by Jennifer Loach, entry on King Edward VI in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography written by Dale Hoak