Edward VI - The Threshold of Power: W.K. Jordan

The Dominance of the Duke of Northumberland. Edward VI (b. 1537; reigned 1547 - 1553) was not yet 10 years old when he ascended England's throne; the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour and England's first monarch to be raised as a Protestant. During his reign, the realm was governed by a regency council because he never reached maturity. The council was first led by his uncle Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (1547–1549), and then by John Dudley, 1st Earl of Warwick (1550–1553), who from 1551 was Duke of Northumberland. Edward's reign was marked by economic problems and social unrest that in 1549 erupted into riot and rebellion. An expensive war with Scotland, at first successful, ended with military withdrawal from Scotland and Boulogne-sur-Mer in exchange for peace. The transformation of the Church of England into a recognisably Protestant body also occurred under Edward, who took great interest in religious matters. His short reign was, from start to finish, ruled by more than 30 counsellors and executors appointed by Henry VIII's will, causing a bitter power struggle. Edward VI named his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his successor, completely bypassing his half-sisters Anne and Elizabeth; Jane's reign lasted nine days before she was deposed by Mary.