The Rise of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland

The emergence of John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, as the most powerful man in England in 1549 was one of the most unlikely events of the Tudor century. The son of an executed traitor, Dudley was distinguished neither by learning, administrative talent, nor political genius. Yet at the death of Henry VIII in 1547, he and Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, uncle to the young Edward VI, were regarded by the Imperial Ambassador as the two men most fit to rule during the minority.

Hertford became Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector of England after the old King’s death and held this position until he was overthrown two years later. Leadership then passed to Dudley, who dominated the government until the death of Edward in 1553. Although Dudley is best known for the destruction of Somerset, the advancement of himself to the rank of Duke of Northumberland, and the rash attempt to divert the royal succession from Mary Tudor to his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey, his earlier career and rise to power form an extraordinary and perhaps unique chapter in the history of Tudor England.