2021-07-06 Tue

Edward VI was the King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death in 1553. He was crowned on 20 February at the age of nine.

Edward was the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, and England's first monarch to be raised as a Protestant. During his reign, the realm was governed by a regency council because he never reached maturity. The council was first led by his uncle Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (1547–1549), and then by John Dudley, 1st Earl of Warwick (1550–1553), who from 1551 was Duke of Northumberland.

Edward's reign was marked by economic problems and social unrest that in 1549 erupted into riot and rebellion. The transformation of the Church of England into a recognisably Protestant body also occurred under Edward, who took great interest in religious matters.

Depicted here is a shilling with a portrait of Edward VI, struck 1551-1553.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org