Edward Tudor

Edward VI (1537–1553) was the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, and became King of England and Ireland at just nine years old. His reign lasted from 1547 until his death at age 15. 🏰 Key Highlights of His Reign: - Youthful Monarch: Too young to rule independently, Edward’s government was run by a regency council. First led by his uncle Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, and later by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland. - Protestant Reformer: Edward was the first English monarch raised as a Protestant. Under his rule, the Church of England became distinctly Protestant, abolishing the Mass and clerical celibacy, and introducing English-language services. - Political Turmoil: His reign saw factional struggles, economic hardship, and social unrest, including rebellions in 1549. - Succession Crisis: As Edward lay dying from tuberculosis, he named his Protestant cousin Lady Jane Grey as heir, bypassing his Catholic half-sister Mary. This led to a brief and contested succession. Though short-lived, Edward’s reign marked a pivotal shift in England’s religious identity and set the stage for future conflicts between Protestant and Catholic factions.