The History Of England

After her brave and audacious rebellion, Mary became Queen in 1553. Historians have not been kind to Mary for many centuries. What have they been saying? What are they saying now?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After Mary's victory, Jane Grey was imprisoned comfortably in the Tower, and spent her time studying - and had a reasonable expectation of long, if a little dull, life. Until in 1554 Thomas Wyatt and her father Henry Grey, raised rebellion.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The game played out, the Mary entered London and the Duke was to die. But Northumberland had one more surprise to spring  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Whether Jane and Guildford understood the commotion in the city outside the Tower we do not know, but it was the duty of her father, the Duke of Suffolk, to break the news  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Around the 14th July a ship called the Greyhound sailed into Orwell Haven. Its captain was in gaol in Lowestoft, its crew had smashed open the cash box. Meeting with Sir Henry Jermingham may well have changed the course of history.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Northumberland made good speed towards East Anglia and Mary, and his army swelled with troops and artillery. But in London, the mood was ugly, and Mary was having some success too.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mary's letter of 10th July brought home an uncomfortable truth that Northumberland had expected to avoid - that Jane must fight for her crown. If an army could be found  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mary had a decision to make - submit, fight or flee. She took the decision with her household - and they raised the rafters with their cheers.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On the morning of 9th July 1553 the 16 year old Jane was walking in the Grey manor at Chelsea in blissful ignorance. Then the Duke of Northumberland's daughter, Mary Sidney, came to call  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The life of Lady Jane Grey to 1553, and the fate of Edward VI is settled as the vultures gather. The first in our series on the succession crisis of 1553.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Edward VI's 'Devise for the Succession' would plunge England into turmoil. Was it his own work, or was it the work of a manipulative and power hungry Northumberland? Here's what happened.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John Dudley, as Duke of Northumberland for a while dominated the King's Council - and was a man with the imagination to change the rules. And the Edwardian Reformation continued, step by step, to transform religious practice.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1550 Edward's views on reformation began to harden - and brought him into conflict with his sister. Under pressure from King and Council, Mary decided that she must flee the country for the safety of the firmly Catholic Empire  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Somerset came away from the Commotion Time with a wobbly reputation. Could he survive politically ?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1549 was a year of upheaval which led to rebellions which offer a fascinating window into English society. It also saw the publication of the Book of Common Prayer, Cranmer's masterpiece which would form the bedrock of the English church for centuries  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Somerset was an effective soldier, and as uncle to the king he seemed like an ideal choice as Protector. Would he prove an effective political? Good Duke, Bad Duke or just Duke? Over the next few episodes, we'll find out.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Within week, Edward Seymour was safely ensconced on the seat of power. But brother Thomas was not impressed, and would involve three women - Catherine Parr, Princess Elizabeth and Jane Grey in his attempt to gain power and influence  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Poor Edward's reign tends to be ignored, sandwiched as it is. This week we pay it proper respect - what has history had to say of the lad, what were the controversies of his reign and the players that trod its boards?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

By 1600, the Spain and her Empire was acknowledged as the richest and most powerful state in Europe. the hardworking Phillip II worked into the night deep in his massive palace of El Escorial to keep the wheels turning. But by his death in 1598, the seeds of her fall were already apparent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our survey of 16th century Europe moves on to the growth of the Ottoman Empire under Suleyman, and the chaos of the French religious wars.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.