TUDOR REBELLIONS

Page 1

REBELLIONS UNDER HENRY VII

LOVELL/STAFFORD REBELLION (1486)

It lasted for one month and took place in York and Worcestershire.

The main cause was dynastic the protesters wanted the restoration of the house of York.

They did not have a subsidiary cause and therefore they had a lack of support- no Yorkist pretender to rally around.

Leaders: Viscount Lovell, Sir Thomas and Sir Humphrey Stafford

Their main aim was to overthrow Henry VII and replace him with an unspecified Yorkist Claimant.

They attracted little support- Lovell escapes while Stafford's both captured and Humphrey is executed.

The threat was very low as the rebel numbers were very small-not enough rebels.

Entirely unsuccessful- Henry was more concerned with the instability of his rule than any threats from the rebels.

Reasons for failure: lack of credible candidate as King- commons unwilling to rise in support of the noble leaders.

Lovell/ Stafford- minor nobles- no wealth and no large group of followers to base a rising.

Henry had intelligent operation who successfully tracked the rebels when they fled-no time to become a threat.

no overseas backing

Total support raised was in dozens not even hundreds.

LAMBERT SIMNEL (1486-87)

Duration: One month, Ireland invasion of England through Lancashire

Main aims and causes: Dynastic rebellion. Attempt by Yorkists to place a pretender on the throne (Edward)

Other causes: Yorkist faction dissatisfied with their treatment by Henry VII- loss of lands and hope of preferment.

Leadership: Richard Symonds, Oxford priest- backing from Irish Earl of Kildare who Simnel had crowned King in Dublin; support from Earl of Lincoln

Outcomes: Simnel captured- spared and given a job in the King's kitchen- Symonds escaped execution and is imprisoned for life.

Level of threat: High- able to raise sufficient funds to hire mercenary army- took place early in Henry's reign and battle of east stoke (1487) was pretty closely fought.

Henry had 12,000 men while rebels had 8,000 (not all fully committed)

Irish troops were hanged, while other Yorkist leaders were fined rather than arrested.

reasons for failure: Simnel was not legitimate - not aspiring leader

Simnel depended on foreign support- Irishmen- made it harder to gain support in England

Henry's treatment of Yorkist nobility after Bosworth was effective-few executed or left with no hope- confiscated land and allowed men like earl of surrey to prove loyalty and regain property-there was limited number desperate enough to rebel

Key stats, quotes and views: Difficulty in ruling Ireland that Henry had to reinstate Kildare as Lord despite his support for Simnel. Kildare was only powerful magnate that was powerful to hold Ireland down.

Not a threat: Lack of support in England- raised no more than 1,500 men in two weeks

Was a threat: Battle of east stoke lasted 3 hours- not certain that Henry would win-bigger more equipped army- would have lost his throne.

Both Henry and Simnel both had little support from major nobles- Northumberland's loyalty was so suspect that him and his troops were never ordered into battle.

YORKSHIRE REBELLION (1489)

one month and located in Yorkshire

protests at collection of subsidy for foreign purposes- new sort of tax was burden in a poor area.

other causes were the poor harvest of 1488 increased degree of poverty/ Yorkist sympathy region- this was certainly Henry's fear.

leaders: Robert Chamber- gentleman of York / Sir John Egremont- bastard member of Percy family.

Henry sent army of 8,000 and rebels dispersed.

outcomes: no more effort to collect tax from Yorkshire

Henry recognises north remains in Yorkist sentiment- spends more of his time there.

Establishment of Tudor's council of the north.

Quite low level of threat- limited support, no influential leadership , no march south.

It was a bit successful because attempts to collect tax were abandoned-no widespread retribution

North came under firmer Government control- did not prevent further trouble in the same region during the POG.

Reasons for success: north needed to be handled carefully to prevent further trouble.

Lack of prominent leader was pro and con- limited chance that rebellion would become more widespread- easier for King to treat rebels leniently.

THE CORNISH REBELLION (1497)

About 3 months in Cornwall

Leadership: Blacksmith Michael an Gof, Thomas Flamank and Lord Audley- no major figures.

Outcomes: 5,000 rebels marched more than 250 miles to London- no extra support

Henry punished rebel leaders- all 3 executed- large fines on country- Cornwall quiet until 1549

Main causes: Raising of subsidy- forced loan- "irrelevant' war against Scotland.

Other causes: Henry issued regulations on tin mining and suspended rights of the local Cornish Court and Parliament- hit the local independence from the centre.

Degree of threat: moderate-15,000 rebels reached the outskirts of London.

Did not gain support from outside west country and did not intend to overthrow the King- army not professional or well equipped.

reasons for failure: poorly equipped- no artillery or good weapons and armour- faced by a professional army.

no support from any noble with any resources.

no sympathy for the rebel cause among Londoners.

Key stats and quotes: Rebel force was twice size of royal army (much less trained)

Henry raised £15,000 in fines from Cornwall as punishment.

PERKIN WARBECK (1491-99)

Active eight years

In Ireland: 2

sieges of Waterford

In England: 3 separate invasions:

1. Tries to land

at Kent 1495

2. Invades from

Scotland 1496

3. Lands in

Cornwall 1497

Leadership: Warbeck- foreign backing: James VI of Scotland/Margret of Burgandy

Outcome:Kent-no local support

Scottish invasion backed by James VI- poorly resourced ends after a week- Forces Henry to raise tax which caused the Cornish rebellion.

Warbeck fails twice to capture the English castle at Waterford in Ireland- flees for Cornwall.

Warbeck failed to attract significant support in Cornwall after 3 months- fled, captured and executed.

Failure of two impostors ensured there were no more serious threats to Henry's throne.

Main cause: Dynastic= House of York creating a plausible pretender to rally around.

Other causes: European politics- foreign support from failed attempts from the French to neutralise England or hand it over to the Holy Roman Emperor.

Medium degree of threat- gained support from France, Burgandy, Ireland and Scotland.

Failure to generate significant backing in England.

All his backers had other motives.

Reasons for failure: depended on others for power- vulnerable to changes in their plans

Henry had firmer grasp on throne- no point in nobles risking all for Warbeck.

Efficient intelligence service- neutralised potential supports with bonds.

little threat?- Warbeck spent less than 50 days on English and Irish soil- failed to attract support of an English or Irish backer.

Warbeck kept in court rather than prison- Henry did not see him as a major threat.

big threat?- Warbeck was persistent-attempted 5 invasions and 2 two escaped in comfortable captivity. He was executed for the threat he might pose is circumstances- actions threatened Henry's attempt to marry his son to to Catherine of Aragon- Spain complained about England's instability.

Foreign backing was substantial until the invasion of Kent- Foreign leaders were deterred by the clear lack of foreign support for Warbeck in England.

Page 2

REBELLIONS UNDER HENRY VIII

AMICABLE GRANT (1525)

3 months across 5 countries in eastern and south- Eastern England.

locals below gentry status- no major leaders identified.

Main causes: Tax- Henry sought £8,000 in forced loan- not ordered by Parliament- back invasion of France.

Other causes: unemployment affected areas rising-inflation rising- 12% fall in peasant income 60% price rise since 1500

outcome: protests in Suffolk

Henry abandons aggressive foreign policy- Wolsey forced to climb down

Henry places blame on Wolsey

Degree of threat: Major- for policy not for King- successful never a political threat to the throne

Reasons for success: Widespread protest- 5 countries

rare multiple class uniting- clergy, nobility (despised being made responsible for it's collection)- Lord Lisle threatened with execution.

Protesters avoided violence- loyalty to the crown- protesting against specific tax.

protesters ready to march to London- focus on capital

protests went on for some time-Councillor's warned Henry about consequences of not backing down- better understanding of commons feelings.

Key stats, quotes and views: 4,000 rebels assemble at Lavenham in Suffolk willing to march on London- outnumbered duke of Suffolk force.

Suffolk gauged the mood of his troops- realised sympathy for the rebels.

SILKEN THOMAS (1534-35)

9 months- Ireland starting in Dublin

Leaders: Silken Thomas- Earl of Kildare's son

main causes: regions resistance to attempts to increase power centre

other causes: Reformation exported to Ireland-religious component helped cement Kildare's leadership.

Rebellion labelled as 'crusade'- timing was political more than religious

outcome: Thomas and 5 uncles excecuted

Kildare earldom suspended till 1569- lands temporarily confiscated.

Henry became King of Ireland rather than Lord- greater loyalty and power than before

English cautious about imposing religious change- explains why catholism survived as main religion in Ireland.

Degree of threat: moderate- battle lines sharply drawn- Thomas offered limited direct threat to major centres of Tudor power.

Reasons for failure: Major English response in terms of troops and money

Loss of clergy support- Thomas ordered excecution of Archbishop of Dublin who had tried to mediate

Gathered in Maynooth- England can focus troops in one spot

Key stats, quotes and views: cost London £75,000 to suppress

number of excecutions were high but far less than POG.

PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE (1536-37)

oct 1536-Feb 1537

Leadership: Sir Robert Aske and Francis Bigod in Yorkshire

multiple leaders from commons giving way to gentry

Main causes: Religious change- fear of dissolution of monasteries provided charitable net- coincided with King's commissoners visits setting of local grievances.

Fear of new taxes- pace time- prompted by Cromwell's passage subsidy act authorising collection of £80,000

other causes: poor harvest the previous year

shifts in power balances at court- old supporters of Catherine of Aragon losing out.

degree of threat: high- estimated £50,000 rebels in total- across northern England- some demands met- risings were not co-ordinated or simultaneous- never intention to overthrow king- loyal rebellion

outcome: local nobles forced to negotiate with rebels and general pardon promised

subsidy dropped

four sacraments resorted to prayer book

second wave- rebels led by Bigod treated more harshly- sign of how concerned Government was by this rebellion.

Both religious and economic protest- no single leader or cause

Reasons for success/failure: Henry had to start paying attention to the north- careful to avoid repetition

Rebels failed to take advantage of numbers of general sympathy for the cause- did not march south.

HOW TO SEE THE PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE

local reaction to the centre: CSL Davies argues this

Percies were behind everything and fighting for their old power and independence

religion was useful cloak to win popular support

points to Aske's links with percies- sees him as a catspaw

Factional: Geoffery Eton argues this

initial Lincolnshire rebels had links to local landowners- part of Catherine of Aragon's faction- lost favour and patronage at court

Idealism and religion cloaked with political aims

social and economic causes: ML Bush argue this

subsidy resented in poor famished north- three bad harvests since 1527 and starvation

resentment at enclosure

Religious rebellion: JJ Scarisbrick argues this

Rebel demands were religious more than anything

Keys stats, quotes and views: 10,000 rebels in Lincolnshire

Bush- total number of rebels 50,000 in 9 different armies

fewer than 10% of rebels directly affected by subsidy

limit to desire to have old religion back

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REBELLIONS UNDER EDWARD VI

WESTERN REBELLION (1549)

4 months may till august

Leadership: commons rising- Sir Humphrey Arundell/ articles of protest- Robert Welsh

main causes: significant religious element- concern of new strictly protestant prayer book- Edward VI- bans festivals and pilgrimage

Hatred of Government's greediest main agent- William Body

other causes: long term economic problems- population, inflation, enclosure

Gov intro of poll tax on sheep

1548- first poor harvest for 16 years

outcome: siege of Exeter by rebels- 4,000 killed by a Government force of German mercenaries

Gov doesnt make concessions to rebels

Degree of threat: medium- widespread discontent- no rebel advance to southern England 1497- somerset distracted by Kett or things would have been over sooner

reasons for failure: no clear achievable aims- articles demanded things Gov could not grant- abandonment of reformation- forced Gov to fight

rebel leadership poor- slowly and allowed themselves to be bogged down in seiege of Exeter

Key stats, quotes and views: POG- rebels marched under catholic banner of 5 wounds of christ

Unlike Kett's rebellion- no strong undercurrent of class conflict- no strong local nobility or gentry- no significant problems- enclosure

KETTS REBELLION (1549)

June to November 1549

Leadership: Robert Kett- wider outbreak across england-leadership was low level and low born

Main cause: Enclosures- Kett heartened by royal commission looking into problem- thought they were supported by Government in acting against enclosures.

other causes: character and stubbornness of Somerset

Poor quality of local government- failed to clamp down on enclosure

outcomes: disturbances throughout midlands and eastern England

Kett raises large force - 16,000 men- norwich fails to rebel- rebellion crushed by warwick- 1381 rebels camped

Kett plus 300 rebels executed- sign of how seriously government was scared

results in fall of Somerset

High degree of threat- disorder was widespread- trouble in 25 countries from Yorkshire to Cornwall- 20 rebel camps assembled and 16 rebel petitions.

regime change- protector Somerset falls- no calls to overthrow king.

Threat heightened due to incopetence of local authorities putting Kett down-gave rebels time to gather strength.

Reasons for failure: London remained loyal to the crown- no agrarian grievances in a city

Kett failed to hold back rebels- Government willing to negotiate then treated rebels harshly- attack on Norwich made rebellion treason

Key stats, quotes and views: "The closest thing to war" - John guy

1549 main turning point- rebellions get less serious because this is the last great commons rising (compare to oxfordshire)

7 articles among Kett's demands relate to religion- demanded that priests live with their flock and teach more- not local gentry.

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REBELLIONS UNDER MARY I

NORTHUMBERLAND AND LADY JANE GREY (1553)

9 days on the throne

leaders: Earl of Northumberland - tried to keep control after death of Edward VI.

Main causes: factional- the accession of Mary, Northumberland losing power

other causes: Northumberland's concerns at the possible accession of the catholic Mary

outcomes: Classes show considerable loyalty to Tudor dynasty- not taking regard of mary's religion.

degree of threat: High- cold have succeeded- popular support

aimed at heart of the Government- able to seize control of power for a week

Reasons for failure: Northumberland's unpopularity- lacked significant support-failure to arrest Mary when he had the chance

Timing- Edward died before he could get anything approved by Parliament- illegal for a minor to alter wishes of previous King.

Failed coup showed England preferred legitimate Tudor protestant queen- not member of royal family.

protestant reformation was not yet established- many welcomed accession of Mary and return of old religion

Key stats,quotes and views: strength of Tudor position- Mary was female and catholic- still substantial loyalty to legitimate heir

no common cause across social classes-Northumberland has noble support-none with people-army will not fight

WYATT'S REBELLION (1554)

About two weeks

leadership: Robert Wyatt, Earl of Devon, Duke of Suffolk

main causes: Factional- a change in policy to persuade Mary not to marry Philip II- became clear Mary would not be moved-aim shifted to place Elizabeth on throne.

other causes: protestant dear of catholic monarch consequences

fear of Spanish Inquisition introduction

outcomes: Rebellion was uncoordinated but still proved dangerous- focused in protestant- rebels reach London but stayed loyal to Mary

Mary obeyed Parliaments advice- Philip to be consort not King

nearly 100 executions- including Wyatt- indicative of the scale of the threat

degree of threat: moderate- rebels badly organised not well supported.

Gov took them seriously- threatened London without support of the Londoners- Mary might have fallen

protestant backed a legitimate Catholic queen

reasons for failure: not popular rebellion- little backing from commons outside kent

Loyalty of London

Bad security- plot leaked out two months early- strength of Tudor intelligence apparatus

Cold weather- began at end of January to winter- difficult to rouse commons and uncomfortable march with no shelter

Key stats, quotes and views- rebellion as political not religious

Elizabeth restored Wyatt's family to its lands on her accession.

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REBELLIONS UNDER ELIZABETH I

SHANE O'NEILL'S REBELLION (1558-69)

Eight years- Ireland from Ulster down to Dublin

leadership: Shane O'Neill- heir to Earldom of Tyrone

Main cause: local opposition to central power

other causes: Internal Irish politics

Religion- claimed to be a true defender of the faith in Ireland

outcome: O'Neill successfully used guerrilla tactics- too difficult and expensive to put down

eventually murdered by rival Irish- paid by English

Elizabeth attains O'Neill lands in Ulster- seized extensive possessions but storing future with Earls of Tyrone

degree of threat: medium- rebellion long lasting- financially and militarily impossible for English decisive force to bear.

Dublin threatened no call for outright independence or regime change

Reasons for success?- English lacked cash and political will to take strong action- more than 1,000 strong

Shane escaped all attempts of capture- death hands of Irish

length of rebellion and numbers willing to fight- strong element of Gaelic nationalism in Ireland

Duke of Sussex recalled to London in disgrace- failure to capture Shane and end the rebellion

Failure?- Shane stayed free- never faced English in pitched battle- or won any major territory from them

n real threat to English control over Dublin

Key stats,quotes and views- Sidney's 1565 army was only 2,000 strong-largest in Ireland throughout the rebellion- little resource the tudors mustered to suppress rebellion in Ireland

despite financial difficulties- £250,000 over 10 years was spent on suppressing O'Neill's rebellion.

NORTHERN REBELLION (1569)

Three months- Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland

Main causes: Defense of Catholic faith- Protestantism was strengthening its grip on the country

Dynastic and factional- Mary QOS available as ruler- cause championed by factions who felt frozen out of power

other causes: Resistance to the centre: resentment of Northern Earls at increased interference from London.

outcome: no organisation or defined aims- quickly collapses= Northumberland is beheaded

Earl of Huntingdon made president of council of the north- 23 years ends catholic threat in this region

degree of threat: low- far from london- plot betrayed

Bad timing- midwinter

Reasons for failure: Lack of clear achievable aims

poor organisation- march south began before tenantry was raised- N's contribution was 80 men

Support limited to north- away fro centres of power

Key stats, quotes and views: Elizabeth did not feel secure- excecution of 700 rebels

THE MUNSTER AND GERALDINE REBELLIONS (1568-83)

M- 1569-73, G- 1579-83

Three separate rebellions across 10 years

Leadership: Earl of Desmond, James Fitzgerald

main causes: Local resistance- resentement at English incomers seizing land

other causes: Religion- F an ardent supporter of counter- reformation

outcomes: Destruction of Desmonds power

English settlement of Munster

Degree of threat: low- English cuter measures were effective- brutality worked- no threat outside Munster

Page 6

REBELLION AND DISORDER UNDER THE TUDORS: AN OVERVIEW

Dynastic succession: