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Series

Secretaries of State: State Papers Scotland Series I, Edward VI

Catalogue reference: SP 50

What's it about?

SP 50

Royal and protectoral letters, correspondence of the Secretary of State, letters of intelligence received including overtures from dissident Scots magnates, requests for safe conduct passes, instructions to envoys and Border custodians, and...

Full description and record details

Reference

SP 50

Title
Secretaries of State: State Papers Scotland Series I, Edward VI
Date

1547-1553

Description

Royal and protectoral letters, correspondence of the Secretary of State, letters of intelligence received including overtures from dissident Scots magnates, requests for safe conduct passes, instructions to envoys and Border custodians, and negotiating papers, all relating to the reign of Edward VI. Most volumes cover the first two years of the reign only, because of the invasion of Scotland by the King's uncle and Protector, Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset.

Held by
The National Archives, Kew
Legal status

Public Record(s)

Language

English

Physical description

5 volume(s)

Administrative / biographical background

The Protector invaded Scotland in a bid to enforce the union of the two countries by marrying Edward to Mary, Queen of Scots. English influence in Scotland was to be maintained by a chain of garrisons. Despite military success, Somerset was thwarted by Mary's betrothal to the King of France's heir, and after his disgrace in 1549 English policymakers no longer gave priority to Scotland. The garrisons, which had the virtue of preventing Scottish cross-border raids were consequently abandoned, and an attempt at settling disputes over debatable Borderlands in 1552 was the only positive step, itself secured by French mediation.

Publication note(s)
The records are calendared entirely in Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland preserved in H.M. Public Record Office ed M J Thorpe 2 vols (London 1858). They are also calendared for the most part more fully in Calendar of the State Papers relating to Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots 1547-1603 vol 1 ed J Bain (Edinburgh 1898). Please speak to staff at the Map and Large Document Room enquiry desk for the precise location.
Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C13592/

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Secretaries of State: State Papers Scotland Series I, Edward VI