Chapter 6, Pining Away Summary and Analysis

In the summer of 1551, there is an epidemic of the sweating sickness, and the country is battling inflation. In October Warwick is given the title of Duke of Northumberland, the first man without royal blood to hold a ducal title. During the first Council meeting, Somerset is accused of treason and sent to the Tower. He is accused of planning to overthrow the Tower and gain access to its arsenal, then poisoning the Council and taking over the government of England. He is condemned to death, though a public outcry serves to prevent the sentence from being carried out. Northumberland pressures Edward to sign Somerset's death warrant, though the young King is reluctant to send his own uncle to the block. However, the sentence of beheading is carried out, and the crowds dip handkerchiefs in Somerset's blood...