1536-37 Pilgrimage of Grace

Question 1

Outline the Pilgrimage of Grace

Answer 1

Three separate risings in the north of England were a reaction to the religious changes of the Reformation, as well as underlying social and economic grievances. The rebel force numbered 40,000 and Henry was forced to buy time by negotiating with the rebels before going back on his promises and executing over 200 of them

Question 2

Why was succession linked to the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 2

The rebels wanted the restoration of Mary to the succession, having been declared illegitimate after her mother, Catherine of Aragon’s divorce from Henry

Question 3

Why was taxation linked to the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 3

One of the rebel’s articles concerned taxation. They demanded that the 1534 Subsidy Act be abandoned as the tax was innovative because it was not being raised for the defence of the realm

Question 4

What was the main cause of the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 4

Religion

Question 5

Explain the significance of religion in causing the rebellion

Answer 5

The rebellion was in response to visitations by Church commissioners to investigate the cleft and close smaller monasteries. This also caused rumours of attacks on parish churches. The closure of monasteries meant the local church attendance would go down due to the fact many people used the monasteries for mass.

Question 6

What were the religious symbols used in the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 6

The banner of the Five Wounds of Christ

Rebels singing the Pilgrim’s Ballad

Question 7

Why was faction linked to the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 7

The Aragonese faction wanted to regain influence. The rebellion attempted to remove Henry’s chief minister, Thomas Cromwell. Many of the leaders had links with Catherine and hoped to restore Mary to the succession

Question 8

Why were socio-economic issues linked to the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 8

The rebels wanted entry fines to be set at two years’ rent. This would prevent landlords making up for their losses from rents, caused by inflation, by charging more to new tenants. The rebels also argued that the closure of the monasteries would hit the poor who relied on monastic charities

Question 9

Why were enclosures linked to the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 9

One of the rebel demands called for the pulling down of enclosures put up since 1489, except in regions of mountains, forests, and parks

Question 10

How many rebels were there involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 10

40,000

Question 11

Which nobles were involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 11

Lord Hussey
Lord Darcy
Lord Lumley
Lord Latimer

Question 12

Which members of the gentry was involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 12

Sir Robert Aske, a lawyer to the Earl of Northumberland

Sir Francis Bigod

Question 13

Was there any involvement of foreign leaders?

Answer 13

The rebels hoped for support from Charles V

Question 14

What were the outcomes of the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 14

Local nobles forced to negotiate with rebels and a general pardon promised
Subsidy dropped
Four sacraments resorted to prayer book (pro-Catholic outcome)
Second wave of rebels led by Bigod treated much more harshly – sign of how concerned government was by this rebellion

Question 15

Why was the organisation of the Pilgrimage of Grace so vital to its success?

Answer 15

Aske was able to control 40,000 people from a range of social classes. The army was organised into ‘hosts’ based on regions. The leaders of the hosts met to discuss tactics, pledging an oath which helped ensure good discipline

Question 16

What concessions were made by the government due to the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 16

The rebels were pardoned
Religious changes slowed down
Entry fines were set at the level demanded
The 1534 Subsidy Act was stopped
The Statute of Uses was repealed

Question 17

What was the fate of the rebels after the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 17

Henry pardoned the first wave of rebels, but went back on his word with the second. The accused were tried without a jury and a verdict without appeal given. In Lancaster, the abbot of Whalley, four monks, four canons and 19 others were executed. 46 were hanged for the Lincolnshire rising and 132 from the Pilgrimage and Bigod

Question 18

Which crown servants were the target of the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 18

Thomas Cromwell
Thomas Cranmer
Richard Rich

Question 19

How did the Pilgrimage of Grace impact the north?

Answer 19

After the rebellion, the Council of the North was reformed, with lesser gentry given roles, whilst Henry assumed overall responsibility for the Marcher lands. Lesser gentry were appointed under Henry as deputy wardens of the borderlands. JPs were changed and those who had shown sympathy with the rebels were removed. Henry visited York

Question 20

Which nobles were involved in the suppression of the Pilgrimage of Grace?

Answer 20

Earl of Shrewsbury

Duke of Norfolk