Pilgrimage of Grace

Pilgrimage of Grace

1. Assessing the level of threat

   • The numbers of rebels involved
   • The geographical extent of the rebellion
   • Role of the local gentry and nobility
   • The rebel's demands
   • The ability of the govt to respond to the threat

2. Causes

   • Dissolution of the Monasteries
     • The rebels tried to restore 16/55 monasteries
     • Feared the social and economic consequences of the dissolution - pilgrim's ballads in 1536 suggest this
   • Wider social and economic concerns in the north of England
     • Pontefract Articles complained about enclosure, unfair rises in rent and the corrupt activity of the local officials
     • Asked for remission from the 1534 subsidy
   • Views of members of clergy that joined the rebellion are also reflected in the articles in complaints about govt attacks on trad privileges of the Church - e.g benefit of clergy
   • Leader - Robert Aske (educated lawyer) able to convey the rebel's concerns clearly - encouraged idea of a pilgrimage
     • But, rebels actions clearly show the majority of complaints were due to religious changes enforced by the govt
       • Wanted an end to the heresies of Luther, the restoration of the powers of the pope and the reversal of the dissolution of the monasteries

3. Level of threat

   • By Oct 16, the rebellion in East Riding had attracted 10,000 followers and the rebels were able to take over the city of York
   • Oct 19 - captured the port of Hull and Pontefract Castle
     • Lord Darcy persuaded to join them
   • East Yorkshire rebels making great gains - North Riding of Yorkshire also rose up
     • Support from leading members of the local nobility and gentry, Lord Latimer and Sir Christopher Derby
   • North Yorkshire rebels captured Barnard's Castle before meeting up with Aske's rebels in York
   • Rebels rising up in Westmorland and Cumberland
   • 30,000 rebels at peak
     • Well trained fighters with military experience against Scotland
   • By late Oct, 9 well-armed and organised rebel hosts
   • Only region they were less successful in was Lancashire as the Earl of Derby stayed loyal to Henry - given huge powers
   • Began on the 10th Oct in the East Riding of Yorkshire
     • Connected with Lincolnshire rising - were communicating with them as early as 2nd Oct
     • Leader Robert Aske has been involved in the Lincolnshire RIsing

4. Events and Govt supression

   • Duke of Suffolk still restoring order in Lincolnshire and Henry had sent his second army home
     • Rebels had 3 weeks to gather and prepare a strategy
     • Situation made worse by the many northern gentry that had joined
   • 23rd Oct, the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Shrewsbury marched north with an army of 8,000 men
     • Outnumbered by rebels - little choice but to negotiate
       • Norfolk sent a letter to the rebels asking for a meetings
         • Aske agreed and a meeting took place 27th Oct.
           • Rebels presented a list of five articles and it was agreed that two representatives would take it to the king and that a truce would be called
             • Henry initially wants to write an angry response but Norfolk persuades him to offer the rebels further negotiations in the hope that their momentum would decline
               • Rebels accepted offer and drew up a second set of 24 complaints to give to Norfolk
                 • Second meeting between rebels and Norfolk at Doncaster on 6th Dec - rebels ask for King's pardon, Norfolk able to grant, together with a promise of a parliament and further negotiations on the fate of the monasteries
                   • But, King no intention of keeping his agreement
                     • Former rebels realise Henry's plans - Jan 1537, there was a short unsuccessful rising led by Sir Francis Bigod and a former pilgrim, John Hallam, who briefly captured Beverley (East Yorkshire)
                       • Renewed unrest in West Riding of Yorkshire, Cumberland and Westmorland - put down near Carlisle
                         • Unrest gave Henry an excuse to punish the rebels - 144 executed including Aske, Sir Thomas Percy, Bigod and Hussey
                         • Longer term response - Henry reorganised the Council of the North
                           • Resentment of his policies continued in the north - In 1541, there was a plot to kill the president of the council of the North and capture Pontefract castle - quickly discovered and put down by the council itself