EDWARD VI

Document bearing the King's stamped signature ['Edward'] Westminster, 7 July [1551] - EDWARD VI ORDERS THE DEBASEMENT OF THE COINAGE

Footnotes

'UPON YOUR UTTERMOST PERILL NOT TO DISCLOSE TO ANY MANER PERSON... THE TENOUR OF THE SAME WRITTE': EDWARD VI ORDERS THE DEBASEMENT OF THE COINAGE.

These specific instructions, signed by three of the most powerful men in the land at this time (Somerset, Warwick and Rich), would appear to refer to a writ ordering the debasement of the coinage, whereby the value of the teston, or shilling, was reduced to 9d and the groat to 3d. This writ directed at the Sheriffs of Counties is recorded both in the Calendar of State Papers Domestic 1547-1580, 1856 (no.29, p.33) and the revised Calendar... Edward VI, 1992 (no.528, p.197). A further proclamation a month later reduced the value further. This would have been an unpopular policy, hence the need for secrecy until the county authorities had time to prepare for any possible unrest. The coinage was debased for the first time in around 400 years by Henry VIII and the practice was revoked in October 1551, just a few months after these instructions.

Several copies of this document would have been issued for distribution to the various counties, hence the use of the Royal stamp to save the thirteen-year-old King time and effort. Amongst the signatures of the Privy Councillors is that of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and former Lord Protector, once the most powerful man in England, who signs here in the last months of his illustrious career. In February 1551 it was said he quarrelled with Warwick and rumour suggested he wished to regain his former power, but lack of support meant that by the summer he had abandoned any ambitions he might have. However, Warwick and his friends still saw him as a threat and caused him to be arrested for high treason and executed in October 1551. Warwick himself was executed in 1553 after his attempt to declare Lady Jane Grey as Queen on Edward's death.