On The Governance Of Protector Somerset

Edward ?, just nine years old, reigned the whole England from 1547 to 1553 after the death of Henry ?.During this period, the sovereignty was actually held by two Dukes. Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, who was the king's uncle acted as the Protector of England at the beginning of Edward ?'s reign. This article proceeds with Somerset's opportunity of ascent, and gives a detailed record of economic, social, religious and Scotland problems in the 1540s. It also studies the solutions and influence within the Duke's administrations. The paper can divide into introduction, text and conclusion, and the text has four chapters.The first chapter describes the family history, marriage, early political experience of Somerset. Besides, it studies his transition from the executor to Protector and the consolidation of power. The second chapter studies the problems and the solutions of economy and society. It analyzes the economic and social problems at the later period of Henry ?,then expounds the solutions from curbing inflation, fighting against enclosure and governing the vagrants. At last, it illustrates Somerset's failure in the policies from the peasant revolts of 1549. The third chapter discusses the measures and effects of Duke's Reformation. This paper expounds the possibility, the necessity and the bondage of the Reformation. Besides, it introduces four religious measures. Finally, it analyzes the effects of the Reformation from positive and negative aspects. The fourth chapter gives a summary of Scotland policies and their causes of failure. It introduces the background of Scotland policies, and illustrates Somerset's policies from invading Scotland, setting up military fortress and developing the Anglophiles, finally explores the causes of failure from internal and external aspects at the end.The conclusion is an evaluation of Protector Somerset's governing from the active and passive sides.