Chapter 4, The Most Unstable Man in England Summary and Analysis

Parliament passes the Act of Uniformity in March of 1549, which declares the Book of Common Prayer is to be used in all church services, and anyone celebrating Roman Catholic mass can be imprisoned. The Lady Mary decides that Edward is too young to make judgements on religion himself, and declares that she will make no religious changes until he comes of age. Mary relies on the advice and protection of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, and his ambassador Francis van der Delft. She presses the Lord Protector, Duke of Somerset, to grant her religious freedom until Edward comes of age, and he finally gives her a verbal agreement, though he later denies giving any such permission. The public is shocked that Somerset did not try to save his...