Diary of Edward VI. 31 Jan 1547. The next day, being the [31st] of [January], he was brought to the towre of London, whear he taried th'espace of three wekes; and in the mean season the counsel sat every day for the performaunce of the will¹, and at length thought best that the erle of Hartford shuld be made Due of Somerset, sir Thomas Seimour Lord Sudley, the erle of Essex Marquis of Northampton (age 35), and divers knights should be mad Barons, as the lord Sheffield (age 25), with divers other.² Also thei thought best to chose the duke of Somerset to be Protectour of the realm and Governour of the Kinges person during his minorite, to which al the gentlemen and lordes did agre becaus he was the Kinges oncle on his mother's side.³ Also in this time the late King was buried at Windsor with much solemnite, and th' officers broke their staves, hurling them into the grave.⁴ But thei were restored to them again when thei come to the towre.

Note 1. The Will of Henry the Eighth was printed at length in 4to. 1793. The proceedings of the privy council with regard to its execution will be found in the Appendix.

Note 2. The creations were:

1. The protector to be Duke of Somerset;

2. The earl of Essex (age 35) (brother to the queen dowager) to be Marquess of Northampton;

3. The lord Lisle (age 43) to be Earl of Warwick;

4. the lord chancellor Wriothesley (age 41) to be Earl of Southampton;

5. sir Thomas Seymour (age 39) to be Lord Seymour of Sudeley;

6. sir Richard Rich (age 50) to be Lord Rich of Leez;

7. sir William Willoughby (age 32) to be Lord Willoughby of Parham; and

8. sir Edmund Sheffield (age 25) to be Lord Sheffield of Butterwick. The ceremonial of their creations will be found in the Appendix.

Note 3. On the subject of the Protectorate the reader is referred to the Appendix. The duke was also constituted Lord Treasurer on the 10th of February, and the next day sworn in to that office before the lord chancellor in Westminster hall. He further became Earl Marshal (see the next page), both these high offices being vacated by the attainder of the duke of Norfolk.

Note 4. The ceremonial of the Funeral of Henry the Eighth is printed at length in Strype's Eccles. Memorials, vol. ii. Appx. A. The interment was accomplished on the 14th Feb.