Henry VIII, one of England’s most famous monarchs, died on 28th January 1547 at the age of 55. His death, however, was not announced to the public immediately.
Why?
Well, the delay allowed his closest advisors and executors to figure out their next steps and secure their positions in this sudden transition of power.
Henry’s death was formally announced three days later, on this day in Tudor history, 31st January 1547, by Thomas Wriothesley, his Lord Chancellor. Chronicler and Windsor Herald Charles Wriothesley recorded the momentous occasion, describing how the proclamation was made in Westminster Hall by Garter King of Arms and other heralds, declaring Edward VI as King of England, France, and Ireland, Supreme Head of the Church, and Defender of the Faith.
At just nine years old, Edward VI became the new king, but, as you can imagine, a child of that age couldn’t rule independently. According to Henry VIII’s will, Edward was to be guided by a regency council of sixteen executors—equal in authority—to govern the realm until Edward reached his majority. Henry had specifically designed this council to ensure collective decision-making and avoid concentrating power in one person’s hands.
However, that’s not what happened.
Enter Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, and uncle to the new king. While Seymour wasn’t even one of the executors listed in Henry VIII’s will, as the king lay dying, Seymour hatched a plan with William Paget, the king’s secretary for Seymour to take control of the realm with Paget as his chief advisor.
As soon as the king had died, Seymour and Paget put their plans into action. And with the king’s death still a closely guarded secret, they had time to consolidate power before the announcement was made. While Seymour went to fetch the new king to London, Paget talked to the other councillors and telling them just how difficult and unworkable it would be to govern the realm without one man leading them. Only Thomas Wriothesley objected and he was overruled. The other executors felt that it was for the good of the realm with a young king on the throne and that Seymour, being the king’s uncle and having experience of administration, politics, diplomacy and military leadership, was the right man to lead them.
By 31st January, Seymour had secured his appointment as Lord Protector and Governor of the King’s Majesty, effectively becoming the de facto ruler of England.
On the day of the proclamation, ceremonies unfolded across London. According to Charles Wriothesley, heralds and trumpeters announced Edward’s accession at key locations, including Westminster Hall, St. Magnus’s Church corner, Leadenhall, the Standard in Cheap and the conduit in Fleet Street. These announcements were accompanied by reminders to keep the king’s peace during this transition of power.
Later that day, Edward VI made his ceremonial entrance into the Tower of London, where , escorted by the Lord Protector and Sir Anthony Browne, he was formally received by the Constable and Lieutenant of the Tower, the Lord Protector and key members of his new council, including Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and Lord Chancellor Thomas Wriothesley. They then went to the king’s presence chamber, where they were sworn in.
Charles Wriothesley goes on to say that “Our late soveraigne lord King Henrie the Eight had declared by his will, under his great seale, his deerelie-beloved sonne and heire, our soveraigne lord, now Edward the Sixth, to succeede to his crowne emperiall; the Erle of Hartford, Sir Edward Seymor, to be Lord Protector and Governour of the Kinges Majestie and this realme of England, untill the Kinges Majestie came to his lawfull age of 18 yeares” which, as we know, just isn’t true, Henry didn't choose Seymour as Lord Protector. But, the common people wouldn’t have questioned this, not having access to the late king’s will.
Henry VIII’s carefully laid plans were ignored, but despite the heir to the throne being just a child, there was still a smooth transfer of power and the kingdom remained stable, for now anyway.
Leave a Reply