Causes of Rebellion (Elizabeth I)

Question 1

What was the main cause of the Desmond Rebellions (Munster 1569-73 + Geraldine 1579-83)?

Answer 1

Political - local opposition to English control particularly English incomers seizing land

Question 2

Subsidiary causes of the Desmond rebellions (Munster 1569-73 + Geraldine 1579-83)?

Answer 2

Religion - Fitzgerald took a strong stance against the protestant reformation in Catholic Ireland and was an ardent supporter of the Counter Reformation

Question 3

What was the main cause of the Revolt of the Northern Earls 1569?

Answer 3

Religion - replace Elizabeth with a CATHOLIC replacement (Mary Q of Scots)

Question 4

Why was Mary Q of Scots preferred by the Northern Earls?

Answer 4

She was CATHOLIC
She was married and had a son - solved the dynastic problem

Question 5

Why did Mary Q of Scots pose a particular threat to Elizabeth?

Answer 5

She was her cousin - couldn’t just ignore her
As a Catholic, Mary had become somewhat of a figurehead for Catholics in England - her as queen would also solve the Succession problem

• However, Mary herself did not initiate the rebellion - it was merely her presence and the opportunity she presented for the nobility that influenced the Northern Nobles to react and support her

Question 6

What was the subsidiary cause of the Revolt of the Northern Earls?

Answer 6

Resistance to the centre - resentment of Northern Earls towards increased interference from London
Politics - the Northern Earls had had their power eroded - the Earl of Northumberland was restored by Mary I but Elizabeth deprived him of his power once again
Personal grievances - the Northern Earls had a resentment of William Cecil

Question 7

What was the main cause of Oxfordshire Rebellion 1596?

Answer 7

Enclosures being put up at Hampton Gayer and Hampton Poyle close to the rebellion site

Question 8

How much had prices risen by 1549?

Answer 8

36%

Question 9

What were the subsidiary causes of Oxfordshire rebellion 1596

Answer 9

Economic problems
Famine caused by poor harvests - 1549 had the worst harvest for 40 years
Inflation - prices rose by 36%
Falling wages and epidemics of disease

Question 10

What year had the worst harvest for 40 years?

Answer 10

1549

Question 11

What was the main cause of Shane O’Neill Rebellion 1558-69?

Answer 11

Political - local opposition to Centralised power in Ireland from London

Question 12

What was the subsidiary cause for Shane O’Neill 1558-69?

Answer 12

Internal Irish politics and Religion (O’Neill claimed to be a ‘true defender of the faith’ in Ireland)

Question 13

What was the main cause of Tyrone’s Rebellion 1596-1603?

Answer 13

Local resistance to centre – Tyrone saw the only hope for Ireland being a
complete break with the Tudors – with himself as the new Irish leader

Question 14

What was the subsidiary cause of Tyrone’s rebellion 1596-1603

Answer 14

Tyrone wrapped himself in Religion and appealed for help from Spain and the Pope

There was also an element of opportunism as the English forces were especially weak at this time due to the Spanish Armada

Question 15

What was the main cause of Essex rebellion 1601

Answer 15

Factional/Political - Essex feared losing influence to Robert Cecil and sought to re-establish his place at court after losing it due to his failures in Ireland to squash Tyrone’s rebellion

Question 16

What was the subsidiary cause of Essex Rebellion 1601?

Answer 16

In 1600 Essex lost the main source of his income - a monopoly on the sale of sweet wine - this left him financially ruined

Question 17

Who were the Northern Earls involved in the Northern Earls rebellion 1569?

Answer 17

The Earl of Westmorland and the Earl of Northumberland

Question 18

How did personal grievances cause the Northern Earls rebellion 1569?

Answer 18

Westmorland had financial difficulties and Northumberland was 70 and resented seeing his previously held political power go to a local rival