Assess the reasons why most rebellions under the Tudors ended in failure.

Question 1

Assess the reasons why most rebellions under the Tudors ended in failure.

Answer 1

• Military response
• Government action
• Provincialism
• Leadership

Question 2

Military response

Answer 2

• Dynastic rebellions had to end in failure - could only be successful if the monarch was defeated or killed in battle. Stoke 1487, Blackheath 1497 and Cambridge 1553.
• Most protesters, however, failed because they tried to avoid a military confrontation.
• For example, Aske – sent letters to rebels at Clitheroe Moor ordering them not to fight the Earl of Derby’s troops. – Following of 40,000 yet had no wish to do battle with Duke of Norfolk’s troops.
• Arundell at Exeter and Kett at Norwich felt the same.
• Lack of funding for rebels resulted in inadequate cavalry, weapons, ammunition and supplies. Gov forced could bide time until ready to attack.

Question 3

Government Action

Answer 3

• Main strategy to ensure rebellion ended in failure was to offer pardons to all but the ringleaders - buy time to consult advisers, formulate response and raise troops.
• Agreed to discuss grievances on the condition that the rebels dispersed – the likelihood of the rebel concerns being addressed was slim.
• For example, Lincolnshire rebels implored Aske at Yorkshire not to reason with the Duke of Norfolk as they had been duped by the Duke of Suffolk and their rising achieved nothing.
• Similar concerns in Western - gentry leaders met Devon JPs outside Exeter in 1549.
• And in Kett’s - was discouraged from holding private talks with the Earl of Warwick.
• Authorities bought time also as they knew that the longer a rebellion lasts, the more likely it would ened in failure. The possibility that the rebels would quarrel, desert of betray their cause increased as food supplies ran out and living conditions deteriorated.

Question 4

Provincialism

Answer 4

• Most rebellions limited their own success in that they only aimed to resolve local grievances and had no desire to link up with other disaffected areas of to broaden their appeal.
• Only in one example did his occur. Exeter rebels made overtures to protesters in Winchester and Hampshire 1549.

Question 5

Leadership

Answer 5

• The age of the leader had an impact on outcome and in some cases led in part to a rebellions failure.
  E.g. Simnel too young, Northumberland and Westmoreland too old to inspire loyalty and provide charisma needed to lead a major rebellion.
• If a leader was indecisive or lacked coherent strategy could lead to failure.
  E.g. NE had no clear plan. underestimated time to travel to London – Mary queen of scots had been moved to Coventry.
  Similarly, Wyatt indecisive and failed to advance on London when might have succeeded.
• Poor leadership lead to failure through inability to rally support or wrong type.
  E.g. Northern Earls – lacked funds to pay supporters, 600 desertions.
  Similarly, Simnel limited by type of support – presence of Irish lords reduced English support dramatically.

Question 6

Location

Answer 6

• Most rebellions failed as they did not actually pose any direct threat to the government due to distance from London - out of sight was truly out of mind.
• In Ireland, for example, a rebellion could go on for some time without posing any particular threat to the monarch.
• Gov understandably felt more anxious the nearer a rebellion got to London – increased the chances of success.
• In reality only Cornish 1497, Wyatt 1534 and Essex 1601 neared Whitehall.
• London consistently stayed loyal, gov withstood the challenge- loyal troops dispersed insurgents.