The Tudor Boy King: the turbulent times of Edward VI

Aims

This course aims to:

• analyse the political, religious and social landscape of England during the reign of Edward VI
• evaluate the extent of Edward VI’s personal authority
• assess the impact of minority kingship on every different level of English society

Course content

The course examines the reign of Edward VI within the wider currents shaping Tudor England and early‑modern Europe. It begins with Edward’s birth, upbringing, and humanist education; setting out the intellectual and religious influences that shaped a young prince expected to embody the ideals of Renaissance monarchy. From there, the course considers the monumental impact of Henry VIII’s death in 1547, exploring how a minority government was constructed and what this reveals about the nature of kingship, counsel, and authority in a period when the monarch’s body was not just a physical entity but also the most potent of political symbols.

You will become familiar with the extraordinary religious upheaval of Edward’s reign when England became not just a Protestant country, but a radically Protestant country. The Edwardian Reformation is considered not only as a programme of doctrinal change but also as part of a broader European movement that reshaped ideas of faith, identity, and state power. The course then moves on to the extraordinary upheavals of 1549, a year when England seemed to teeter on the edge of revolution. You will trace the collapse of local authority, and the government’s increasingly desperate attempts to regain control. These crises open up wider questions about social strain, economic dislocation, and the fragility of Tudor governance when confronted with mass mobilisation and competing visions of order.

The final session focuses on Edward’s last months, the succession crisis, and the rise and fall of Lady Jane Grey, using these episodes to reflect on the instability of dynastic politics and the contested nature of legitimacy. Through these themes, a clearer picture emerges of how England navigated minority rule, religious upheaval, and political ambition during a pivotal moment in its history.

What to expect on this course

This immersive course will be taught over five in-person sessions. In each session you will be presented with a thorough analysis of the topic. You will be encouraged to consider primary material and to discuss ideas within the group. 

Course sessions

1. The birth of a Prince: upbringing and education
2. The death of a King: establishing the minority
3. Tudor Church Militant: the Edwardian Reformation
4. 1549: on the cusp of revolution?
5. ‘Death comes for us all’: Jane Grey and Edward’s legacy

Learning outcomes

As a result of the course, you will gain a greater understanding of the subject and you should be able to:

• explain how minority rule tested the structures of Tudor monarchy
• analyse how the mid‑Tudor state operated and assess how effectively it managed political, religious, and social pressures
• consider deeper questions about governance, legitimacy, and the relationship between the crown and the wider realm

Required reading

There is no required reading for this course. See Course materials for supplementary reading once registered.