Today’s Almanac-January 28, 2010
Nine year old Edward VI became King of England and Ireland on January 28, 1553 upon the death of his father, Henry VIII. The frail boy’s short six year reign was marked by court intrigue and rule by “protectors” appointed by a Regency Council. The first, Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, pursued a moderate policy against Catholics. He was ousted and executed by John Dudley, Earl of Warwick and later Duke of Northumberland who oversaw the transformation of the Church of England into a Protestant body and persecuted Catholics. The young King’s reign was also marked by two failed wars--one to force the Scots to betroth their young Queen Mary to her cousin Edward and thus unite the kingdoms, and another against perennial foe France. Dudley compelled the tubercular young king to name his cousin Lady Jane Grey as his heir to prevent the accession of his Catholic half-sister Mary. The scheme failed and Jane ruled for only nine days before Mary was set on the throne. Despite all of the high drama swirling around him, Edward is best remembered today-at least on this side of the pond-for inspiring Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper.