Edward VI

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Edward VI
King of England and Ireland
Portrait of Edward VI, c. 1546
Reign	28 January 1547 – 6 July 1553
Coronation	20 February 1547
Predecessor	Henry VIII
Successor	Mary I
Born	(1537-10-12)12 October 1537 Hampton Court Palace, Middlesex, England
Died	6 July 1553(1553-07-06) (aged 15) Greenwich Palace, Kent, England
Burial	8 August 1553 Henry VII Lady Chapel, Westminster Abbey, London
House	House of Tudor
Father	Henry VIII
Mother	Jane Seymour

Edward VI (12 October 1537 – 6 July 1553) was King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death in 1553. He was the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, and England's first monarch to be raised as a Protestant. Edward's reign was marked by economic problems and social unrest that in 1549 erupted into riot and rebellion. His reign saw the transformation of the Church of England into a distinctly Protestant body.

Early Life

Edward was born on 12 October 1537 at Hampton Court Palace in Middlesex, the only legitimate son of Henry VIII and his third wife, Jane Seymour. His mother died 12 days after his birth, leaving Edward motherless. He was given a rigorous education and was intellectually precocious, learning several languages and studying a range of subjects.

Reign

Edward ascended to the throne at the age of nine, following the death of his father, Henry VIII, on 28 January 1547. Due to his young age, the realm was governed by a regency council led initially by his uncle, Edward Seymour, and later by John Dudley.

Religious Reforms

Edward's reign was notable for the significant religious changes that took place. The Book of Common Prayer was introduced in 1549, and the Act of Uniformity mandated its use. The Second Act of Uniformity in 1552 and the revised Book of Common Prayer further established Protestant doctrines.

Economic and Social Issues

Edward's reign was also marked by economic difficulties, including inflation and poor harvests, which led to widespread social unrest. The most notable uprisings were the Prayer Book Rebellion in Devon and Cornwall and Kett's Rebellion in Norfolk, both in 1549.

Death and Succession

Edward fell ill in early 1553, and his health rapidly declined. He died on 6 July 1553 at the age of 15 at Greenwich Palace. His death led to a succession crisis. Edward had attempted to prevent the accession of his half-sister Mary by naming Lady Jane Grey as his successor. However, Mary successfully claimed the throne, and Lady Jane Grey was deposed after just nine days.

Legacy

Edward VI's reign, though short, was a pivotal period in English history. His religious reforms laid the foundation for the Elizabethan Religious Settlement and the establishment of Protestantism in England.

Related Pages

• Henry VIII
• Jane Seymour
• Mary I of England
• Elizabeth I of England
• Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset
• John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland
• Book of Common Prayer
• Act of Uniformity 1549
• Prayer Book Rebellion
• Kett's Rebellion