AS. Miles - 1. The reasons for and impact of religious change. Flashcards
Life in England before 1529
.
England in 1485 - population and landscape
The landscape was pastoral and rural. Total population was about 3 million, and 90% of whom lived in very rural communities.
Towns were small. A large town : Norwich had a population of about 12,000.
London had a population of 60,000.
Farming
Arable farming with a variety of crops was common. The large open fields were common in many areas of arable farming. The land was divided into strips and given by local land owners to tenants.
In the late 15th century there was concern about enclosure.
Enclosure
Enclosure involved putting a fence around a field so that either one crop could be produced on a larger scale or the field could be used as livestock.
An anti-enclosure act was passed in 1489, but wasn’t effective.
Cloth industry.
Accounted for nearly 80% of England’s exports. The wool and cloth industry generated the most growth.
Connections began with the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, with the Holy Roman Empire in Venice.
Most wool was made by peasants, by hand.
English society
Everyone knew their place in society. From the King, downwards, through the ranks of clergy, nobles, gentry, merchants, commoners, servants and paupers. This was known as ‘The Great Chain Of Being’.
…pt2
Nobles were few in number- just over 50 - owned large areas of land which provided power and influence in the localities. Strict and rigid laws of primogeniture meant that estates were passed down intact to the eldest son or closest male relative.
Below the nobles were the gentry, merchants, commoners and beggars.
The commoners suffered the most from enclosure.
…pt3
At the pinnacle of the social hierarchy was the monarch. He ruled under God, though later the Divine Rights of Kings had not been fully set out.
England in 1529 - position in Europe
-lots of land in France - still ruled over Calias.
-The Netherlands were important due to cloth trade.
-Spain becoming a major power.
The government of England
-Dictatorship was integral.
-Royal household treated him well in terms of hospitality.
-King depended on nobles for advice and along with senior churchmen made up the privy council.
Economy and finance
-cloth industry booming.
-Lands owned by the Crown provided the King with regular income.
Monarchy in England
-The throne was in a volatile state.
-There was a lot of dispute over power related subjects.
Tudor Wales in 1529
After 1283, the land of Wales that was under control of the King was called “The Principality”. This area, about 1/3rd of Wales, was ruled under English sovereignty.
The principality was divided into shrines which were governed by men appointed by the King.
2/3rds of Wales was still governed by the “Marcher Lords”.
Tudor Wales.
1500- estimated that about 250,000 lived in Wales.
the vast majority living under non-English terrain.
-Wales unable to produce food in relation to demand. It’s estimated that about 50% of the population suffered from malnutrition which in turn made them more susceptible to disease.
-Infant mortality was very high- 25% of babies died at birth and another 25% of babies died before their 1st birthday,
-The poor received help from 46 monastries in Wales.
The importance of the church and opposition
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Why was the Catholic church so powerful?
-It owned about 1/3rd of the land and had considerable wealth.
-The church had a hierarchy from archbishops to bishops all the way down the chain to poor parish priests who earned less than £15 a e=year.
-There were about 35,000 ordained clergy and about 10,000 monks and nuns.
-Had it’s own legal system - the Pope decided (Rome) on all matters, both religious and political.
…pt2
The church provided certainty, which was scarce in a time of short-life and disease.
Priests used paintings and statues, to explain Christian beliefs, but it is hardly surprising if beliefs focused more on nature and the fear of going to hell.
The English people in the 16th century
-The pope , in Rome, was head of the church and had supreme authority over all spiritual matters.
-There was a discernible elaborate hierarchy of churchmen.
-The clergy held a special and powerful place within the community. Access to Bible and written in Latin, meaning it was limited to priests and other.
-The unique role of priesthood was confirmed by their appearance, as they wore particular clothes and vestments.
-People devotes their life to Catholicism through 7 sacraments, wherein baptism and other isms were done.
-They should attend church regularly to secure a place in heaven.
Churches within the community
-Churches were the most common building.
- Nearly 2/3rds of English parishes were rebuilt in the 15th century.
-It was only when Henry VIII wanted a divorce, leading to what is known as the reformation that people criticized the church.
…pt2
Albeit the church was very powerful, with its very power came its great corruption. Emphasis on the incompetence of the clergy. For example, some clergy were immoral, and some were pluralists.
…pt2
Albeit the church was very powerful, with its very power came its great corruption. Emphasis on the incompetence of the clergy. For example, some clergy were immoral, and some were pluralists.
Historian interpretations
Professor A.G Dickens -
Looked at evidence from a Protestant perspective - suggested that the church was criticized due to the shortcomings in the church that were nothing new ; the Catholic church had strength and vitality and much active support, both in worship and in outwards signs such as church buildings projects.
Other historians argued that the reformation was primarily political, to grant Henry’s divorce.
The church’s political sphere
The church was also a force in National and international politics. The church offered and additional service to monarchs. It’s power over people’s minds through it’s teachings created a channel in which obedience to the will of the King could also be taught.
What was the condition of the Roman Catholic church in England in 1529?
Historians- J A Froude + J H Green.
They said that the Roman Catholic church was in poor condition by 1529. This unfortunate situation coupled with the spreading of Protestant ideas coming in from the continent, led to a strong dislike of the church and it’s clergy. This facilitated Henry’s goal and he toppled it to take it’s power and wealth.
Opposing views - Phillip Hughes and David Knowles
They argued that religious change was corollary of a greedy King plagued with madness, chasing after a female.
Both historians were Catholic priests. Historians argued that there was a bias as they were defending their own organisations.
Key definitions
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Pope
God’s representative and head of the whole church.
cardinals
senior churchmen who elect the popes
archbishop
senior churchmen in each catholic country
bishop
regional leader of the church
congregation
people who worship in a church
Power over the illiterate
Illiterate peasants relied on the educated
members of the clergy to teach them about
Christianity. They interpreted the Bible to
benefit the parishioners.
Many church walls had contrasting and lurid
pictures of heaven and hell, called Doom
Paintings.
Church as a law court
If you remember year 7, Thomas
Becket had an argument with the King
(Henry II) about the courts
The reason for this was that the King
(appointed by God) believed he should
control all courts, whereas the Church
controlled their own courts
Pope also had his own Court of Appeal
(Papal Curia)
Indulgences
Indulgences became a prominent Catholic practice
in as early as the 1200’s. Any devoted Catholic
parishioner could pay money to the church in
exchange for the forgiveness of sins.
Martin Luther argued that only God could forgive
the sins of those who put all of their faith into
Jesus, and not into indulgences. Luther discovered
that many of his parishioners felt no need to come
to church after they had purchased indulgences.
Opposition to the church
.
Lollards
-John Wycliffe’s ideas from 1300s
-Bible in English and reduced Church
power
-No longer an influential force
-Pockets of Lollards in rural southern
areas
Humanists
-Laymen and clergy
-More and Erasmus were leading
humanists.
-More wrote Utopia, envisaging the
perfect Church.
-They wanted subtle reform of Church.
-They also wanted an enlightened
approach to education and thinking.
-They opposed radical Protestantism.
Lutherans
-Based on the ideas of Martin Luther
-Strong opposition to Catholic
tradition
-Robert Barnes led small Lutheran
group from the White Horse
-Lutheranism laid the foundations for
English reformists to attack the
Church
Tyndale’s English bible
-Opposed weakness and failings of the
Church.
-He published his English Bible in 1525.
-Executed in 1536 by Catholic agents.
Key individuals.
.
Thomas More
Lord Chancellor who denied Henry’s authority over the church
John Colet
Humanist priest who pushed to reform the church
Hugh Latimer
Bishop of Worcester who was executed for protestant beliefs in 1555.
How did Erastian teachings influence Henry?
-An idea developed by Thomas Erastus.
-State should have full power over Church administration
-King is head of the Church.
-King should administer ALL punishments, even Church abuses
Other main forms of opposition to the catholic church before the reformation
.
Anti-papalism
-Belief that the Pope is not the spiritual head of the Church to be revered.
-The Pope didn’t interfere much in English affairs.
Anticlericalism
-A cleric is a religious leader.
-Anticlericalism is the opposition to the church and it’s leaders.
-Simon Fish is an example of somebody who publicly criticized the clerics and their abuse of power.
-Pluralism led to poor leadership from unqualified, stand-in clerics.
Martin Luther and protestants (protestant reformation?)
.
Who was Martin Luther?
Martin Luther was a German monk who began the Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century.
Why did Martin Luther and his ideas “go viral”?
Luther was particularly averse to indulgences. Because he was protesting against the Catholic church, his followers became known as Protestants.
Luther was influenced by the ideas of English philosopher John Wycliffe. However, Wycliffe’s ideas were declared as heretical.
…pt2
Luther’s small protest led to a much bigger change that historians call : “the reformation”. It polarized the church into 2.
Luther’s most important ideas.
-The only way to gain forgiveness and ensure a place in heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ.
-The ruler of each country, and not the pope, should be the leader of the church.
-Ordinary people should be able to access and comprehend the bible in their language.
-The church was no place for excessive and ostentacious commodities.
-Priests should be able to marry if they chose.
What happened to his ideas?
- Preachers would read Luther’s words out loud as part of a sermon and so more people were exposed to his ideas.
-The large number of printing presses made it difficult for the Catholic Church and local rulers to control them. By the time they shut down a printing press in one town, pamphlets were already being printed elsewhere.
How did the Catholic church react?
-In 1521, the Pope excommunicated Luther, meaning he could no longer attend church services and would not get to Heaven. The Catholic Church wanted Luther to keep quiet, but he had a powerful ally, Frederick the Wise of Saxony. Frederick thought he could increase his own power and independence by protecting Luther. He especially liked Luther’s idea that Church wealth should belong to the local ruler.
-In the same year that Luther was excommunicated, King Henry VIII wrote a book defending the Catholic Church (gave Luther more fame)
How did other’s react?
Zwingli of Switzerland was influenced by his ideas and used them to develop his own.
The reformation.
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The late Medieval church
-Historiography - A. G Dickens presented us with a church, that was riven by conflict, spiritually exhausted, lost it’s authority and it’s wit and appeal. This interpretation was very important as we payed attention to the opinions of the people.
-Lay party was focused on - the extent to which ordinary people were engaged with the church. Through looking at the records, the lay people were actually very engaged in the church.
…pt2
-The church of England on the eve of reformation was in pretty good health, despite what people may think.
-The church presented the everyday lives of the populace, with sacraments and rituals to affect their perception of time and virtue.
Reform before the reformation.
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Llolardy
-Llolardy was a religious movement that was declared heretical by the church. Inspired by the Oxford academic Wycliffe, who opposed transubstantiation and the clergy’s power, objected to Pilgrimages and other religious isms.
-Llolards opposed the idea that the people ought to pay tithes and swearing oaths in legal proceedings.
-Llolards were executed and arrested.
However, Llolardy didn’t induce radical protest against church and existed merely as another dimension of some people’s spiritual lives.
Humanism (Christian)
-Christian humanism was also another anti-catholic creed that emerged.
-Christian humanists applied the same critical attitude as Italian humanists to the texts of the Christian religion and bible.
-One of the most well-renowned humanists was Erasmus. In 1516, he translated the new testament into greek.
Desiderius Erasmus
-The Catholic church were using the valgate, the original catholic doctrine, written by St Jerome.
-Erasmus realized that St Jerome wasn’t divinely inspired and made fundermental mistakes in his writings.
-He objected to the sacraments, in particular the use of marriage.
-He opposed rituals and relics, and advocated a more direct and personal relationship between the believer and God.
…pt2
His ideas were espoused in England on the eve of the reformation.
John Colet even made a speech and criticized the church for it’s utility.
Reasons for the Break With Rome.
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The King’s Great Matter.
Religious changes in the reign of Henry VIII (1509-47) are best understood in two phases:
-The Break with Rome c.1529-33
-The Henrician Reformation from 1534.
During the first years of Henry VIII’s reign, the King was a committed Roman Catholic. He defended the Roman Catholic faith against Protestantism and as a result, the Pope awarded him the title of ‘Fidel Defensor’. However by 1539 Henry had broken away from the Roman Catholic and set up the
Church of England.
The establishment of Royal Supremacy.
The problems over resolving ‘the King’s Great
Matter’ led in the short term to the downfall of
Wolsey and in the longer term to the establishment
of the royal supremacy.
The phrase Break with Rome is different
from the Reformation!!!
The phrase ‘Break with Rome’ is different from the Reformation. During the Break with Rome technical and legal changes in the status of the English Church were brought about through legislation of the Reformation Parliament. While the legislation removed the SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC power of the Pope it did not lead to the end of
Catholicism in the country.
The King’s Great matter pt2
-By the mid-1520s Henry was becoming dissatisfied at the state of his marriage. No male heir. One child – Mary. Catherine passed childbearing years. Considered legitimising Henry Fitzroy.
-Fallen in love with Anne Boleyn. Not willing to become mistress. Henry required Wolsey to secure a papal dispensation for the annulment.
This became known as the ‘King’s Great Matter’.
-Henry finds biblical justification from the book of Leviticus.
What was the main reason for the break with Rome?
Love +_divorce, desire for an heir, reform of the church, taking power from the pope, his own conscience and financial benefits.
Why were the 1530’s and Reformation so
important?
-Before 1529, England had been a proud Catholic country.
-By 1534, Henry had taken power of the Church in England.
-By 1549, England would be completely Protestant.
-England today could have been a Catholic country, filled with magnificent cathedrals and colourful monasteries.
-The national psyche would be more in line with countries like Spain and Italy.
Why were the 1530s and the reformation so important?
-Before 1529, England had been a proud Catholic country.
-By 1534, Henry had taken power of the Church in England.
-By 1549, England would be completely Protestant.
-England today could have been a Catholic country, filled with magnificent cathedrals and colourful monasteries.
-The national psyche would be more in line with countries like Spain and Italy.
The process of Henry’s divorce from Catherine.
-Henry’s illegitimate son made Duke of Richmond.
-The book Collectanea Satis Copiosa tells Henry he should rule over Church.
-Pope sends Cardinal Campeggio to hear Henry’s case.
-Henry decides he wants an annulment.
-HRE, Charles V (Catherine’s nephew) sacks Rome and kidnaps the Pope.
-Cranmer declares marriage to Catherine invalid and Henry marries Anne.
…pt2
-Submission of Clergy sees English Church recognise Henry as Head.
-Henry starts to chase Anne Boleyn.
-Wolsey blamed for failure and accused of Praemunire. Replaced by More.
-Henry stops sleeping with Catherine.
-Campeggio called back to Rome and divorce denied.
The causes of the break with Rome.
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Henry’s own conscience
-Henry believed that his marriage was against God’s law and offended his own conscience. He needed a male heir and this is one reason that he asked for annulments.
-Murphy argues that Henry insisted that the words of the Bible in Leviticus represented God’s own judgement of his marriage to Catherine.
Henry’s desire for a male heir
Attempted to make his illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy, his heir but this did not stop him wanting to marry Anne to produce a legitimate male heir.
Role of Anne Boleyn faction
Henry influenced by reformist writers e.g Tyndale , Simon Fish, St Jermaine and a group of academics like Hugh Latimer etc, who confirmed that Henry was well within his rights to reject the authority of the church.
Role of Anne Boleyn
According to Eric ives, Henry had already decided to annul his marriage to Catherine, Anne Boleyn had an impact on Henry’s sentiment.
State of the church and reformist notions
There was a mood in the country for change on some level. Henry was influenced by the anti-clerical movement.
A groundswell of opposition?
According to historians such as A G Dickens (the English reformation), Henry was carried along by Protestantism and a popular resistance to the Catholic Church. It was this push for reform that led to Henry’s break with Rome.
Henry’s need to increase his revenue - ECONOMIC
In 1529 Henry VIII wished to invade France but there was no money. There was widespread discontent and full scale revolt when Wolsey
tried to exact tax without consent of Parliament. If Henry could gain control of the Church, then new funds would be available for foreign policy. According to Cardinal Pole, Thomas Cromwell made a pact with Henry promising to make him the most powerful king yet known in England – the wealth of the Church would finance reform.
Henry’s desire for power
Many accounts depict Henry as having a powerful ego and wanting to be supreme in all matters. It could be argued that this was the motivation behind the break and the divorce was simply the occasion and not the cause. The refusal of the pope to grant Henry his divorce simply provided Henry with the opportunity .
…pt2
However,
This argument is less convincing given the amount of time Henry spent trying to persuade the
pope to grant the divorce. Even legislation such as the first Act of Annates was conditional, giving the pope the opportunity to grant the divorce in return for an abandonment of the break.
Conclusion
There are various reasons for the Break with Rome. However, political motivation, especially the desire for a son, was more important to Henry than religion. Religious issues like the poor state of the Church gave Henry the excuse he needed to attack the Church and reformers like Tyndale gave him the moral and political justification for taking control of the church.
Religious and ecclesiastical policies 1547-1553
Key words
Idolatry - The worship of idols and images.
Iconoclasm - The destruction of idols and images.
What were Edward’s religious beliefs?
The reign of Edward VI witnessed a decisive shift towards Protestantism. Powerful individuals such as Protector Somerset (1547-9), the Duke of
Northumberland 1550-1553 and Archbishop Cranmer were Protestant.
…pt2
The role of the European reformers was more significant. Edward, aged 9 when he became king (January 1547), was committed to the faith. He was
brought up a Protestant and heavily influenced by Catherine Parr and some tutors who she employed like John Cheke. 22 out of the 22 royal preachers
were Protestants; Coverdale (translator of the Bible into English) was made Bishop of Exeter (1551) and became the royal chaplain.
…pt3
The expectation that Edward would advance the cause of Protestantism wasvestablished from the very beginning of his reign. At his coronation, Archbishop Cranmer compared Edward with the biblical child-king, Josiah. The Josiah analogy was a perfect model for Protestant reformers. Josiah had come to the throne aged eight, after a father who had worshipped idols. Josiah embarked on iconoclasm and reinstated the book of Law (the Bible). Edward was clearly being steered in a
Protestant direction.
Useful facts
-Only 5% of Edward’s chronicles is devoted to the subject of religion. His main religious concern in the chronicle is not doctrine.
-Many of Edward’s close advisors were Protestant, such as Catherine Parr, Cranmer, Richard Coxe, William Cecil and John Hales.
How were Edward’s Protestant beliefs formed?
.
Passionate Protestant
-Edward liked to listen to long sermons
-The Spanish ambassador wrote of how the King
‘delighted in supporting the beliefs of his Protestant ministers.’
-As early as 1547, Edward insisted the Compline was sung in English and not Latin.
-Famous reformer Martin Bucer commented how godly Edward was.
Protestantism forced upon him
-His chaplain, Miles Coverdale was a staunch
Protestant (translator of the Bible) and had a big
influence on him.
-Edward rarely wrote about the need for religious
doctrinal change in his famous Chronicle (diary).
-20 of the 22 royal preachers were reformist or
evangelical.
-Step-Mother Catherine Parr, Archbishop Cranmer
and tutors and advisors Richard Coxe and William
Cecil were all devout Protestants.
How had religion changed under Somerset by 1549?
Edward’s uncle - Edward Seymour.
Introduction to Edward’s Religious changes
-Edward and his ministers were undoubtedly Protestant, but they would have to tread slowly and carefully when implementing their version of religion.
-The first thing Edward’s mainly Protestant government had to do was dilute the Catholic influence in the Church over the first two years.
…pt2
-Only then could a new Protestant doctrine be brought in for the masses after from 1549-53.
-By 1553, the structure AND doctrine of England was the most Protestant it’s ever been, including up until today!
1547 - destruction of Catholicism.
-Visitations to inspect state of church start in 1547.
-Books of Homilies and Paraphrases were ordered into every church in 1547.
-Royal injunction ordered English services with English bibles and images removed in 1547.
…pt2
-The Chantries Act of 1547 banned prayers for the dead and closed chantries.
-Henry’s Six Articles were repealed in 1547, leaving England without doctrine.
-Repeal of the Treason Act in 1547 removed censorship allowing freedom of speech.
1548 - Protestant surge is controlled.
-In response to Protestant fervour, new rules dampened the hype.
-Proclamations of 1548 emphasised that transubstantiation should be followed.
-All images were officially removed from churches by 1548.
-Further proclamations rule that only qualified clergy can preach in 1548.
-Cranmer’s First Prayer Book of 1548 gave instructions for church services.
-The Act of Uniformity of 1549 made Cranmer’s Prayer Book the official liturgy.
How far did religion change under Northumberland?
.
Changes to clerical marriage
Nov 1549
By 1549, priests were allowed to marry
Proclamation against images
Dec 1549
Remaining images are to be destroyed
Ordinal ceremony reformed
Jan 1550
Ceremony to ordain priests was reformed, but
they were still made to swear an oath to
saints… hardly a Protestant practice!
New Treason Act
Jan 1552
New Treason Act made it an offence to question the Royal Supremacy or any new changes to the Church
Second Prayer Book
Jan 1552
Removed all traces of Catholicism.
Prayers for the dead and the wearing of
vestments removed.
Second Act of Uniformity
April 1552
This legally enforced the 2nd Prayer Book by Act
of Parliament
Black Rubric
Nov 1552
Kneeling for Communion (The Eucharist/bread)
was enforced
42 Articles
Nov 1552
These were never enforced due to Edward’s death, but were religious orders based on strong Protestant beliefs.
Who was the main driving force behind religious change under Edward?
-By the age of 13, Edward was attending Privy Council and was very vocal about the need for a more radical Second Prayer Book.
-There was very little opposition to Edward’s Protestant changes.
-Somerset was an advanced Protestant, but in light of foreign and domestic concerns, he tread made moderate changes to avoid unrest.
-Many staunch Protestants like John Knox thought he was a sell-out.
…pt2
-Northumberland was a Catholic, but he made dramatic Protestant changes in order to please Edward and maintain his position.
-Cranmer was the chief religious authority, drafting the First and Second Prayer Books, with help from some European reformers.
-Cranmer was a loyal subject of the King and fought to uphold the Supremacy and Erastian ideas.
…pt3
The national clergy remained mostly Catholic and their influence was limited until more could read effectively and share the teachings of Homilies and Paraphrases.
-John Hooper was England’s most staunch Protestant, admired by Edward and Northumberland.
-Martyn Bucer, Peter Martyr and John Calvin were the key European influencers of religion.
-Greed also played a part in religious change, with much reform being based on stripping the churches wealth.
Opposition to religious changes under
Edward
The period of the Reformation under Edward VI is notable for its lack of opposition and the virtual absence of persecution, particularly of the lower
clergy. Although this should not be assumed to mean that there was positive enthusiasm for the reforms, it did make the Government’s job of
enforcement easier.
…pt2
The only serious organised resistance, the Western rebellion was successfully suppressed in 1549. The only two high-profile opponents of the Edwardian
Reformation was Stephen Gardiner (bishop of Winchester) and Edmund Bonner (bishop of London). Gardiner was opposed to the services in English, toleration of image breaking and any doctrinal change of the Church.
He expressed his views publicly.
Opposition to religious change.
.
How serious was the opposition to religious
change?
The most serious opposition to the religious changes was the Pilgrimage of Grace, which lasted from October 1536 to February 1537. However, there were also instances of individuals, such as Thomas More, and monastic groups, such as the Carthusians, providing opposition. The Reformation had brought about many changes to the religious and social fabric of England and therefore it is perhaps surprising that there was not more opposition.
Opposition in the period 1529-35
.
Sir Thomas More
Why did he oppose?
-He did not agree with Henry’s divorce from
Catherine.
-He did not believe the Church should be under
lay control.
-Supported papal authority.
How he opposed and what happened.
-He resigned as Lord Chancellor.
-He refused to swear the Oath of Supremacy.
-Executed.
John Fisher
Why did he oppose?
-He believed in the powers given to the
papacy, opposition was a mortal sin.
How he opposed and what happened.
He refused to swear the Oath of Supremacy.
Thereby Executed.
Carthusian monks and Franciscan friars
Why did they oppose?
Disagreed with the break from Rome.
How they opposed and what happened.
-Resisted changes.
-Houses were closed, imprisoned and some
executed, others died of starvation rather than
surrender.
How they opposed and what happened.
-Resisted changes.
-Houses were closed, imprisoned and some
executed, others died of starvation rather than
surrender.
Elizabeth Barton
Opposed the divorce. In turn, she prophesied that Henry would lose his throne.
Executed as a result.
The Pilgrimage of Grace 1536
The dissolution of the smaller monasteries, the Ten Articles and Injunctions would have brought about noticeable changes and it is therefore no surprise
that the largest opposition to the Reformation occurred in the same year.
There were 3 elements to this rising :
-The Lincolnshire Rising, 1-11 October 1536.
-The Pilgrimage of Grace, 8 October-8 December 1536.
-Bigod Revolt and Cumberland Rising, 16 January-10 February 1537.
Collectively, they are usually referred to as the Pilgrimage of Grace. The rising, which occurred in most of the northern counties of England, involved
some 40,000 rebels and outnumbered the forces the king could raise by 5:1.
Causes of the rebellion.
-The timing of the rebellion would suggest that religion played a significant role.
-Aske claimed that the dissolution was ‘the greatest cause’ of the rising.
-The rebels restored some monks to their monasteries.
-In Lancashire the rising first began in areas around monasteries and they were the last areas to be suppressed.
More causes of the rebellion.
-The number of religious grievances in the rebel demands.
-Monasteries were important in the religious life of the north as they often acted as spiritual centres.
-The Pilgrim Oath and Ballad from the rising stressed the religious element; similarly the rebel banner was of the Five Wounds of Christ.
-The rebels wanted the Royal Supremacy to the and heretics to be attacked.
Other causes.
-There had been poor harvests in 1535 and 1536.
-Enclosure was an issue in areas near York and the Lake District.
-There were complaints about the scale of rents and entry fines.
-Taxation in peace time brought in by the 1534 Subsidy Act.
-Opposition to the Statute of Uses from the gentry, which was a tax on inheritance.
-Complaints about Cromwell and other advisers to the King.
-Supporters of Catherine of Aragon and Mary.
Events of the Pilgrimage of Grace.
-The rising began at Louth and spread across Lincolnshire. Government commissioners were present in the county dissolving the smaller monasteries, collecting subsidy, inspecting clergy and enforcing religious changes.
-News of the rising in Lincolnshire soon spread to Yorkshire and other areas of the north and a series of regional armies or ‘hosts’ under the leadership of the lawyer, Robert Aske, soon assembled.
-The rebels were able to seize York and then Lord Darcy handed over Pontefract Castle.
…pt2
-The size of the rebel ‘hosts’ was far larger than the army Henry sent north. He sent the Duke of Norfolk to negotiate with them.
-He asked them for their demands which were drawn up and given to Norfolk.
-Henry offered a general pardon, a parliament to discuss the issues and a truce.
-Aske insisted that the monasteries must not be closed before parliament met. This was agreed and the rebels dispersed.
…pt3
-Suspicious of this agreement, Sir Francis Bigod to raise another force in early January 1537. This collapsed quickly and he was arrested in Cumberland, where another group had started to attack Carlisle.
-This gave Henry the excuse he needed. Many who were involved were rounded up and executed, including Aske. Death toll reached 178.
