Council of the West facts for kids
The Council of the West was a special group set up by Henry VIII of England. It was created to help govern the western parts of England. These areas included Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorset, and Somerset.
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What Was the Council of the West?
The Council of the West was like a local government office. It was similar to other councils Henry VIII had, such as the Council of the North and the Council of Wales and the Marches. These councils helped the king manage different regions of England.
When Was It Created?
The Council of the West started in March 1539. It was led by a very important person named Lord Russell. He was the Lord President of the Council.
Who Were Its Members?
Several important people were part of this council. They included Thomas Derby, Sir Piers Edgcumbe, Sir Richard Pollard, and John Rowe. These members helped Lord Russell with the council's work.
Why Was It Formed?
King Henry VIII wanted to make sure his rule was strong across all of England. Setting up councils like this helped him keep order and manage local issues far from London.
Why Did the Council End?
The Council of the West did not last very long. It stopped meeting in the summer of 1540. It was never officially closed down, but it just faded away.
The Fall of Thomas Cromwell
One big reason the council ended was the fall of Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell was a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII. He strongly supported the idea of governing England through these regional councils. When Cromwell lost his power, the councils lost their main supporter.
Peace in the West
Another reason was that the western counties were quite peaceful at the time. There were no major problems or rebellions that needed the council's constant attention. Because of this, the council became less important.
Lord Russell's Continuing Role
Even though the council stopped, Lord Russell remained very influential in the western region. He played a key part in stopping the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549. This shows that even without the council, strong leaders still helped the king keep control.
