Quiz - Edward VI's Regency Council

In January 1547, King Henry VIII died and left his throne to his son and heir, Edward. Henry's will made provisions for the nine-year-old King Edward VI to be helped by a regency council, but how much do you know about this council and what happened in early 1547? Test your knowledge with this fun quiz. Good luck!

Edward VI's Regency Council

Q1) Prior to the death of King Henry VIII, what were Edward Seymour and William Paget plotting?

To marry Edward to the daughter of Henry II of France

To make Seymour the Lord Protector

To suffocate Henry VIII

To make sure Paget was on the regency council

Correct! It was prior to the death of Henry VIII that Seymour and Paget were whispering outside his chamber about making Seymour the Lord Protector. In turn, Paget would become his closest advisor.

Wrong! It was prior to the death of Henry VIII that Seymour and Paget were whispering outside his chamber about making Seymour the Lord Protector. In turn, Paget would become his closest advisor.

Q2) This man was given the responsibility of informing King Henry VIII that he was about to die and asking him if he wished for his last rites to be given.

Thomas Cranmer

Edward Seymour

Anthony Denny

Cuthbert Tunstall

Correct! As one of the King's closest companions, Anthony Denny was the man who told the king to prepare himself for death.

Wrong! As one of the King's closest companions, Anthony Denny was the man who told the king to prepare himself for death.

Q3) At the first meeting of the regency council, three of the sixteen men were missing. Which of the below men did not attend the first meeting? (Pick 3)

Dr. Nicholas Wotton

Sir Thomas Bromley

Sir Edward Wotton

Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall

Correct! The Wotton brothers and Bromley were all away from court at the time and were unable to attend the meeting.

Wrong! The Wotton brothers and Bromley were all away from court at the time and were unable to attend the meeting.

Q4) Which of the following council members was responsible for torturing Anne Askew in 1546?

William Paget

Edward Seymour

William Paulet

Thomas Wriothesley

Correct! He and Sir Richard Rich tortured her.

Wrong! It was Thomas Wriothesley, along with Sir Richard Rich.

Q5) Which of the following council members styled himself as Lord St. John?

Edward North

William Paulet

Edward Wotton

Edward Montagu

Correct! Lord St. John was how William Paulet styled himself from 1539-1550. Paulet was raised in peerage to Baron St. John of Basing in 1539.

Wrong! Lord St. John was how William Paulet styled himself from 1539-1550. Paulet was raised in peerage to Baron St. John of Basing in 1539.

Q6) True or false: After Edward Seymour was make Lord Protector of the Realm, the regency council was renamed the "privy council"?

True

False

Correct!

Wrong! It's true.

Q7) True or false: As Lord Protector, Edward Seymour was able to assign and remove men from the privy council at his pleasure?

True

False

Correct! As Lord Protector Edward Seymour was acting as king de facto and could pick and choose who he had around him.

Wrong! It's true! As Lord Protector Edward Seymour was acting as king de facto and could pick and choose who he had around him.

Q8) Which of the following men was Treasurer of Calais in 1547 when he became a council member?

John Dudley

Nicholas Wotton

Edward Seymour

Thomas Wriothesley

Correct!

Wrong! It was Nicholas Wotton.

Q9) Which man on the regency council was one of Henry VIII's "minions"?

John Russell

John Dudley

Anthony Browne

William Paulet

Correct! Sir Anthony Browne was one of King Henry VIII's closest companions and was considered one of the king's "minions" along with Sir Francis Bryan.

Wrong! Sir Anthony Browne was one of King Henry VIII's closest companions and was considered one of the king's "minions" along with Sir Francis Bryan.

Q10) True or false: Henry VIII's will asked for the regency council to name a leader?

True

False

Correct! Henry VIII's will clearly stated he wished a group of men to make decisions for his son, not one man. Unfortunately, Edward Seymour was made Lord Protector.

Wrong! It's false. Henry VIII's will clearly stated he wished a group of men to make decisions for his son, not one man. Unfortunately, Edward Seymour was made Lord Protector.