Editing Edward VI (section)

== Accession ==
[[File:Coat of Arms of England (1509-1554) - Dragon with pizzle.png|thumb|left|Coat of arms of Edward VI]]

The nine-year-old Edward wrote to his father and stepmother on 10 January 1547 from [[Hertford]] thanking them for his [[New Year's Day gift (royal courts)|New Year's gift]] of their portraits from life.<ref>Strype, John, ''Ecclesiastical Memorials'', vol 2, part 2, (1822), 507–509, 'tua effigies ad vivum expressa.'</ref> By 28 January, Henry VIII was dead. Those close to the throne, led by Edward Seymour and [[William Paget, 1st Baron Paget|William Paget]], agreed to delay the announcement of the king's death until arrangements had been made for a smooth succession. Seymour and [[Anthony Browne (died 1548)|Sir Anthony Browne]], the [[Master of the Horse]], rode to collect Edward from Hertford and brought him to [[Enfield, London|Enfield]], where Lady Elizabeth was living. He and Elizabeth were then told of their father's death and heard a reading of [[Will of Henry VIII|his will]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Jordan|1968|pp=51–52}}; {{Harvnb|Loades|2004|p=28}}.</ref>

Lord Chancellor [[Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton|Thomas Wriothesley]] announced Henry's death to [[Parliament of England|Parliament]] on 31 January 1547, and general proclamations of Edward's succession were ordered.<ref name =Lsu>{{Harvnb|Loach|1999|p=29}}.</ref> The new king was taken to the [[Tower of London]], where he was welcomed with "great shot of ordnance in all places there about, as well out of the Tower as out of the ships".{{Sfn|Jordan|1968|p=52}} The next day, the nobles of the realm made their [[obeisance]] to Edward at the Tower, and Seymour was announced as [[Minority reign|Protector]].<ref name="Lsu"/> Henry VIII was buried at Windsor on 16 February, in the same tomb as Jane Seymour, as he had wished.{{Sfn|Loades|2009|p=207}}

Edward VI was crowned at [[Westminster Abbey]] on Sunday 20 February.{{Sfn|Loach|1999|pp=30–38}} The ceremonies were shortened, because of the "tedious length of the same which should weary and be hurtsome peradventure to the King's majesty, being yet of tender age", and also because the Reformation had rendered some of them inappropriate.<ref>{{Harvnb|Jordan|1968|pp=65–66}}; {{Harvnb|Loach|1999|pp=35–37}}.</ref>

[[File:Edward VI of England - 2.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Edward VI, aged about thirteen, by [[William Scrots]]]]

On the eve of the [[Coronation of Edward VI|coronation]], Edward progressed on horseback from the Tower to the [[Palace of Westminster]] through thronging crowds and pageants, many based on the pageants for a previous boy king, [[Henry VI of England|Henry VI]].{{Sfn|Loach|1999|p=33}} He laughed at a Spanish [[tightrope walker]] who "tumbled and played many pretty toys" outside [[Old St Paul's Cathedral|St Paul's Cathedral]].{{Sfn|Skidmore|2007|p=59}}

At the coronation service, Cranmer affirmed the [[royal supremacy]] and called Edward a second [[Josiah]],<ref>{{Harvnb|Skidmore|2007|p=61}}; {{Harvnb|MacCulloch|2002|p=62}}.</ref> urging him to continue the reformation of the [[Church of England]], "the tyranny of the Bishops of Rome banished from your subjects, and images removed".{{Sfn|Jordan|1968|p=67}} After the service, Edward presided at a banquet in [[Westminster Hall]], where, he recalled in his ''Chronicle'', he dined with his crown on his head.<ref>{{Harvnb|Jordan|1968|pp=65–69}}; {{Harvnb|Loach|1999|pp=29–38}}.</ref>