6: Queen Takes Queen? The Revolt Of The Northern Earls, 1569-70

Question 1

How did support for mary contribute to the revolt

Answer 1

legitimate claim to the throne/ male heir James (Elizabeth had an illegitimate claim in the eyes
of Catholics, no heir, succession crisis 1562), figurehead for Catholics at home and abroad, connections with Spain/ Guise
family  focus for discontented Northern nobility

Question 2

how did court politics controibute to the revolt

Answer 2

– nobility resent power of William Cecil, December 1568 Cecil seized Spanish bullion carrying
payments to Spain, aggravates Anglo-Spanish relations, Court plot to marry Norfolk to Mary 1568 (Howard, Norfolk,
Westmorland, Northumberland), Mary easily controlled, end to succession crisis, Norfolk able to remove Cecil, ends 1569

Question 3

how did the concerns of the northern earls contribute to the revolt

Answer 3

– rising Catholicism in the North led to appointment of Protestants in northern Church/ government.
75% Yorkshire families Catholic, similar in Durham and Lancashire! Elizabeth appoints James Pilkington, Bishop of Durham preached against Catholicism, removes Protestant imagery/ furniture e.g. banner of St Cuthbert.
– Dacre, Westmorland, Northumberland felt side lined by Southerners.
Appointments meant they lost income

Question 4

how significant was the support of the earls

Answer 4

-In contact with Mary and Spanish ambassador, well respected in local communities, widespread discontent with new appointments
-able to control Durham/ York for a month, November 3,8000 foot soldiers, 1,600 horsemen
-Highlights political/ religious unrest – may get support from Philip II of Spain (did not materialise), presence of
Mary, failure of the middle way, weak control of North even though Council had be reorganised 1537

Question 5

what were the limits of the significance of the support for the earls

Answer 5

 Lack of support from nobility – Earl of Derby (Lancashire, Cheshire) remained loyal, John Sayer (usually a supporter
of Northumberland), helps Bowes in defence of Barnard Castle, able to attract 5000 rebels from estates but no
where near 30,000 of POG, lack of support beyond counties.
 Elizabeth not yet excommunicated, suspicion of foreign control, meant less support for earls.

Question 6

What was the government response

Answer 6

Executes 8 ring leaders, Northumberland, 700 rebels (450/700 carried out)

Question 7

how significant was the nature of the rebellion and their aims

Answer 7

-Lacked leadership/ strategy, Northumberland had to be persuaded to join, patterns of rebels show uncertainty e.g.Durham, Bramham Moor, back North.
 Proclamation to resist “new found religion and heresy”, did not intend on removing Elizabeth,
 During siege of Barnard Castel and capture of Durham they were more concerned about religious attacks
 Peaceful – did not harm Bowes e.g. allowed to go free with 400 men at siege of Barnard Castle.