Why did Edward VI of England succeed Henry VIII of England?
Inheritance under the Third Succession Act and Henry VIII's will, with a regency. Son — Henry VIII's only legitimate son, by Jane Seymour.
The short answer
Edward was nine when his father died on 28 January 1547. He inherited as Henry's only legitimate son, exactly as the Third Succession Act of 1543 and Henry's will provided. Because he was a child, real power passed to a regency council, quickly dominated by his uncle Edward Seymour as Lord Protector.
Who they were
Key points
- Only surviving legitimate son; his half-sisters Mary and Elizabeth were placed after him in the succession
- Aged nine at accession — a regency was unavoidable
- Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, became Lord Protector; later replaced by John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland
Related family connections
Sources
- Edward VIAccession, age, regency
- Third Succession ActThe statutory order of succession
Explanation written and reviewed by HistorIQly · reviewed 2026-09-18. Part of the House of Tudor family tree. Background on Wikipedia.