Edward VI
King of England and Ireland, first Protestant monarch.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Edward VI was born on 12 October 1537 at Hampton Court Palace, the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, and the only male child of Henry’s to survive him. His birth was met with widespread celebration across England, including church services, bonfires, and a cannon salute at the Tower of London. Jane Seymour died from complications just days later, on 24 October. Henry VIII wrote to the French king that his joy was mixed with bitterness at the loss of his wife.
As a baby, Edward was healthy and vigorous. His father often played with him and showed him off to the public. Though later tradition painted him as sickly, modern historians argue he was generally well, aside from a severe fever at age four and some vision problems. He remained in good health until his final six months. Until age six, he was raised by female attendants, then placed under a formal household with strict security. He had plenty of toys, comforts, and even his own musicians.
From age six, Edward studied languages, scripture, philosophy, and the liberal sciences under tutors Richard Cox and John Cheke. He also learned French, Spanish, and Italian from Jean Belmain, and received instruction from Roger Ascham, his sister Elizabeth’s tutor. He studied geometry, played the lute and virginals, and collected globes and maps. His grasp of monetary affairs suggested high intelligence. His religious education leaned toward reform, likely guided by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. By 1549, Edward had written a treatise calling the pope the Antichrist and took notes on theological debates, though in his early years he still observed Catholic practices like the mass and reverence for relics. Both his half-sisters visited him often; Elizabeth once gave him a shirt she had sewn, and he enjoyed Mary’s company despite disliking her taste for foreign dances.
Edward became king on 28 January 1547 at age nine and was crowned on 20 February. Because he never reached adulthood, a regency council ruled for him—first led by his uncle Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset (1547–1549), then by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland (1550–1553). His reign saw serious economic troubles and social unrest, which erupted into riots and rebellion in 1549. A costly war with Scotland initially succeeded but ended with English withdrawal from Scotland and Boulogne-sur-Mer in exchange for peace. Under Edward, who took a keen interest
- born
- 12 October 1537
- died
- 6 July 1553
- field
- Monarchy
- nationality
- English
- known_for
- First English monarch raised as a Protestant; establishment of Protestantism in England; reign governed by regency council; Devise for the Succession naming Lady Jane Grey as heir
Lore & Background
Edward's reign was marked by the transformation of the Church of England into a recognisably Protestant body, including the abolition of clerical celibacy and the Latin Mass, and the imposition of compulsory English in church services. Economic problems and social unrest erupted into riot and rebellion in 1549. An expensive war with Scotland, known as 'the Rough Wooing,' began under Henry VIII and continued into Edward's reign, ending with the Treaty of Norham (1550) for Scotland and the Treaty of Boulogne (1550) for the return of Boulogne-sur-Mer to France. In 1553, Edward fell ill, and when his sickness was discovered to be terminal, he and his council drew up a 'Devise for the Succession' to prevent the country's return to Catholicism, naming his Protest
Reader's Guide
Edward VI's significance lies in his role as the first English monarch raised as a Protestant and the establishment of Protestantism in England during his reign. His father, Henry VIII, had severed ties with Rome but retained most Catholic doctrine; under Edward, reforms such as the abolition of clerical celibacy and the Latin Mass, and the imposition of English in church services, permanently shifted the English Church toward Protestantism. Edward's reign was also notable for its governance by a regency council due to his youth, and for the social unrest and economic problems that culminated in the 1549 rebellions. His early death at age 15 led to a succession crisis: his 'Devise for the Succession' naming Lady Jane Grey was disputed, and she was deposed after nine days by Mary I, who reversed Edward's Protestant reforms. However, Elizabeth I later restored them in 1559, cementing Edward's legacy as a key figure in the English Reformation.
Did You Know?
- Edward was the only son of Henry VIII to outlive him.
- He was crowned on 20 February 1547 at the age of nine.
- Edward wrote a treatise on the pope as Antichrist by 1549.
- His reign saw the first establishment of Protestantism in England, including the abolition of clerical celibacy and the Latin Mass.
More in European Monarchs & Consorts 1-24
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